Abstract:
A cylindrical textile cover for electrical cords with an embedded elastic material to coil a conventional cord and to keep said cord from tangling is herein disclosed. A power cord for a styling appliance, tool, computer or the like, is placed within the elasticized textile cover and secured at both ends leaving a minimal amount of electric cord exposed. Thus, as the user of the appliance needs more cord, one would pull on the cord forcing the cover to stretch out. The maximum length of the cover is limited by the total length of the cord. As the cord is relaxed, the cover retracts upon itself taking on a convenient compact form.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document number 611,404 filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 22, 2007. There are no previously filed or pending applications filed anywhere in the world. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A cylindrical textile cover for electrical cords with an embedded elastic material to coil a conventional cord and to keep said cord from tangling is herein disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal hairstyles are as unique as one&#39;s personality. In the world of hair styling, there are literally thousands of styles from which to choose. The tools used to style hair include curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers. They add body and to create numerous styles in a quick manner with a minimum of fuss. In professional hair salons, beauticians often have numerous sizes and types of each styling tool. Thus, it is very easy for the cords of these appliances to become tangled, becoming a frustrating nuisance for the stylist as well as an eyesore. These same problems can also exist with computers, power tools, kitchen counter appliances and the like. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which one can quickly and easily organize, excess cable slack, but still be afforded an easy and aesthetically pleasing way to use the entire length of cable when needed. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need. 
     It is prevalent for Americans to possess many different types of electrical devices. These devices have cords that frequently become tangled and create a cluttered appearance. This frustrates many homeowners and business owners such as salons. An invention such as the one described eliminates this frustration. 
     Several attempts have been made in the past to organize electrical cords. U.S. Pat. No. D 509,802 in the name of Davison discloses a novelty cord attachment possessing a football helmet on one end. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed invention nor does it appear to be a cord cover that retracts to prevent tangling and clutter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 445,093 in the name of Staskey discloses a fixed cord cover with a decorative pattern and a method of use. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to disclose a cord cover that is retractable through the use of an elastic element and that attaches at both ends of the cord. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,818 in the name of Clark discloses a removable tubular cord cover that accepts a fabric based material. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a cord cover that retracts in a similar manner to the disclosed invention nor does it possess similar attachment means to the electric cord as the disclosed invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,874 in the name of Todd discloses a sleeve with large radial dimensions that slides over a power cord. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a fabric based decorative cord cover that is retractable nor does the disclosed patent appear to attach to the cord in the manner that the disclosed invention does. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,762 in the name of Bethel describes a heat shrinkable tubing to encase electrical cords. Unfortunately this patent does not appear to disclose a decorative fabric based cord cover that is retractable nor does the disclosed patent appear to connect to the cord in a manner similar to the disclosed invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,496 in the name of Jenkins discloses an electrical cord cover that opens along a longitudinal line to accept a length of cord. Unfortunately, this patent does not appear to disclose a retractable fabric based decorative cord cover that attaches to both ends of an electrical cord. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 296,322 in the name of Collins describes a decorative covering for electrical cords that appears to be a conduit for an electrical cord or wiring. Unfortunately, this design patent does not appear to be similar in appearance to the disclosed invention nor does it appear to disclose a decorative retractable cord cover that attaches to an electrical cord. 
     None of the prior art particularly describes a decorative fabric based electrical cord cover that attaches to both ends of an electrical cord. Accordingly, there is a need for a retractable cord cover that retracts in efficient manner to prevent tangling with other electrical cords and the appearance of a cluttered area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is a need for a decorative electrical cord cover to provide a collapsing means to conventional electric cords affixed to small appliances to eliminate tangling of said electrical cords and a cluttered appearance. 
     It is an object of the retractable cord cover to provide a means for providing a collapsing means to conventional electrical appliances such as, but not limited to hair styling appliances, tools, computers, and the like. 
     Another object of the retractable cord cover is to secure an electrical cord at both ends to the device by weaving said electrical cord around lower fasteners in a zigzag pattern, thereby leaving a minimal amount of electric cord exposed at the plug and appliance ends. 
     A further object of the retractable cord cover is to provide a cord cover that extends with the electrical cord as the user extends the electrical cord and collapsibly retracts as the cord is retracted. 
     Still a further object of the retractable cord cover provides for a cover in the preferred embodiment of approximately ten (10) feet in length, however the decorative cord cover may be provided in various lengths to accommodate different lengths of electrical cords. 
     Yet another object of the retractable cord cover provides for a cover body provided in a variety of attractive colors and patterns based upon an existing decor and a user&#39;s preference. 
     An aspect of the retractable cord cover comprises a cover body, a plurality of first fasteners, and a seam. The cover body provides a collapsing textile enclosure thereto an electrical cord routed therein. The cover body comprises a rectangular textile fabric panel, being cup-shaped and joined along a long seam via a plurality of common fasteners forming a cylindrical or tubular shape approximately two (2) inches in diameter. The cover body provides a linear elastic function via a plurality of elastic elements affixed to an inner surface in a parallel arrangement. 
     A further aspect of the retractable cord cover comprises a plurality of first fasteners, a plurality of second fasteners, a seam, and a plurality of elastic elements. The cover body provides an attachment means along an overlapping or parallel seam to first and second fasteners being equally-spaced at approximately two (2) inches. An additional row of lower fasteners are located at proximal and distal end portions of the cover body being parallel to and beneath the row of first and second fasteners which provide an attachment means to the electrical cord. 
     Still another aspect of the decorative cord cover comprises lower fasteners around which the electrical cord is interwoven around so as to provide a friction means allowing extension of the device without slippage between the cord and the decorative retractable cord cover during repeated extending and collapsing cycles. 
     Yet a further aspect of the decorative retractable cord cover comprises a cover body that provides a linear elasticity means along a long axis via a plurality of elastic elements affixed to the inner surfaces. The elastic elements provide a rugged extruded cord preferably sewn thereto said cover body using conventional textile processes. The elastic elements are envisioned being made of materials having excellent elastic expansion ratios such as vulcanized natural rubber, latex, or the like. When a user allows the device to relax to the collapsed state, the elastic elements provide a tension force causing the device to take a form which is a fraction of its extended length. 
     The decorative retractable cord cover may be installed and utilized by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device which provides a desired length which corresponds to an extended electrical cord length of an anticipated small appliance; extending the cover body out to full length by stretching the elastic element portions of the device along a flat surface such as a floor or table; laying an electrical cord thereupon; starting at one end of the device, weaving a portion of the electrical cord around the lower fasteners adjacent to the plug, thereby forming a zigzag pattern; snapping said lower fasteners, thereby securing the electrical cord to the cover body; snapping the first and second fasteners along the seam in a linear sequential manner until arriving at the appliance or proximal end of the device; weaving the electrical cord through the distal lower fasteners; snapping the lower fasteners closed in a similar zigzag fashion as the distal end, being previously described; allowing the device to collapse into a compact form being a fraction of its original length by releasing one (1) or both ends of the electrical cord; plugging the appliance into a normal electrical outlet; extending the device by extending the appliance from the plug portion; using the appliance to perform hair care or other tasks as needed; collapsing the device again by returning the appliance to a position adjacent to the plug; and, benefiting from reduced tangling, clutter, and tripping hazards associated with uncontrolled electrical cords, while using the decorative retractable cord cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a decorative retractable cord cover  10  depicting a collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a decorative retractable cord cover  10  depicting an extended state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of an electrical cord  50  attachment portion of a decorative retractable cord cover  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  decorative retractable cord cover 
               15  first side 
               16  second side 
               17  proximal end 
               18  distal end 
               20  cover body 
               25  first fastener 
               26  second fastener 
               27  first set lower fastener 
               28  second set lower fastener 
               30  long seam 
               35  elastic elements 
               50  electrical cord 
               55  plug 
               60  appliance 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method for a decorative retractable cord cover (herein described as the “device”)  10 , comprising a cylindrical textile cover for electrical cords with a plurality of embedded elastic strips  35  which provide a collapsing means thereto conventional electrical cords  50  affixed thereto hair care appliances or other types of small appliances  60  to eliminate tangling of said electrical cords  50 . The device  10  may be utilized with hair styling appliances  60 , tools, computers, or the like. The device  10  comprises a plurality of parallel elastic elements  35  which extend an entire length along an inner surface. The device  10  also comprises a single long seam  30  along a long axis being secured theretogether using a plurality of common snap-type fasteners  25 . The electrical cord  50  is secured at both ends to the device  10  by weaving said electrical cord  50  around three (3) lower fasteners  27 ,  28  in a zigzag pattern, thereby leaving a minimal amount of electric cord  50  exposed at the plug  55  and appliance  60  ends thereof. Thus, as the user of the appliance  60  needs more electrical cord  50 , one would pull on the electrical cord  50 , thereby extending the device  10  in a linear manner. The maximum length of the device  10  is limited by the total length of the electrical cord  50 . As the electrical cord  50  is relaxed, the device  10  retracts upon itself and thus shortens the length of the electrical cord  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicting a collapsed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a cover body  20 , a plurality of first fasteners  25 , and a long seam  30 . The cover body  20  provides a collapsing textile enclosure thereto an electrical cord  50  routed therein. The cover body  20  comprises a rectangular textile fabric panel made using cotton, polyester, rayon, or the like, being cup-shaped and joined along a long seam  30  via a plurality of common fasteners  25  forming a cylindrical or tubular shape approximately two (2) inches in diameter. Furthermore, the cover body  20  is envisioned to be provided in a variety of attractive colors and patterns based upon an existing decor and a user&#39;s preference. During use, the device  10  may be allowed to collapse into a compact form as shown, thereby eliminating tangling and/or tripping hazards. The cover body  20  further provides a linear elastic function via a plurality of elastic elements  35  affixed thereto an inner surface in a parallel arrangement (see  FIG. 3 ). For descriptive purposes, the end of the cord closest to the electrical plug shall be referred to as the distal end of the cord  18  and the remaining end of the cord closest to the electrical appliance shall be the proximal end of the cord  17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicting an extended state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is illustrated here fully extended providing a normal electrical cord length  50  to a user between the electrical plug portion  55  and the appliance  60 . The length of the device  10  is envisioned to be approximately ten (10) feet long; however, the device  10  may be provided in various lengths so as to correspond thereto a specific electrical cord length  50  of one (1) or more anticipated appliances  60 . A first set of three (3) lower fasteners  27  is located at the distal  18  end of the cord  55 . A second set of three (3) lower fasteners is located at the proximal  17  end of the cord  55 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a close-up view of an electrical cord  50  attachment portion of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a plurality of first fasteners  25 , a plurality of second fasteners  26 , a seam  30 , and a plurality of elastic elements  35 . The cover body  20  provides an attachment means along an overlapping or parallel seam  30  thereto first  25  and second  26  fasteners being equally-spaced at approximately two (2) inches which comprise preferably, but not exclusively, of prong snap sockets and prong snap studs, respectively, being common in the industry. The cord cover comprises a first side  15  and a second side  16  wherein the first fasteners  25  are located upon the first side  15  of the cord cover and the second fasteners  26  are located on the second side  16  of the cord cover. The first fasteners  25  fit into the second fasteners  26  to maintain the cord cover thereupon the cord. It should be understood that the device  10  may be introduced providing other types of fastening means with equal benefit such as, but not limited to: hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, or the like, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . A first set of three (3) lower fasteners is located at the distal  18  end of said cover body  20 . A second set of three (3) lower fasteners is located at said proximal  17  end of the cover body  20 . Said first and second set of lower fasteners  27 ,  28  are parallel to and beneath the row of first  25  and second  26  fasteners which provide an attachment means thereto the electrical cord  50  (plug  55  shown here). The electrical cord  50  is interwoven therearound the three (3) lower fasteners  27 ,  28  at both the proximal  17  and distal end  18  so as to provide a friction means allowing extension of the device  10  without propagating relative slippage therebetween said cord  50  and device  10  during repeated extending and collapsing cycles. In the preferred embodiment, three (3) lower fasteners  27  are located at the proximal end  17  of the cord cover and three (3) lower fasteners  27  are located at the distal end  18  of the cord cover. It should be understood that any number of lower fasteners  27  may be utilized and as such should not be considered a limiting feature of the invention. The first set of lower fasteners  27  and the second set of lower fasteners  28  are envisioned to be made using similar materials and construction as the aforementioned first  25  and second  26  fastener pairs. The cover body  20  further provides a linear elasticity means along a long axis via a plurality of elastic elements  35  affixed thereto along inner surfaces. The elastic elements  35  provide a rugged extruded cord preferably sewn thereto said cover body  20  using conventional textile processes and extending an entire length thereof; however, other types of bonding processes may be provided such as radio-frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, or the like forming a strong permanent bond thereto the cover body  20 . The elastic elements  35  are envisioned being made of materials having excellent elastic expansion ratios such as vulcanized natural rubber, latex, or the like. When a user allows the device  10  to relax to the collapsed state, the elastic elements  35  provide a tension force causing the device  10  to take a form which is a fraction of its extended length (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  which provides a desired length which corresponds thereto an extended electrical cord length  50  of an anticipated small appliance  60 ; extending the cover body  20  out to full length by stretching the elastic element  35  portions of the device  10  along a flat surface such as a floor or table; laying an electrical cord  50  thereupon; starting at one end of the device  10 , weaving a portion of the electrical cord  50  around the first set of three (3) lower fasteners  27  adjacent thereto the plug  55 , thereby forming a zigzag pattern; snapping said lower fasteners  27 , thereby securing the electrical cord  50  thereto the cover body  20 ; snapping the first  25  and second  26  fasteners along the seam  30  in a linear sequential manner until arriving at the appliance  60  or proximal end of the device  10 ; weaving the electrical cord  50  therethrough the distal lower fasteners  27 ; snapping the lower fasteners  27  in a similar zigzag fashion as the distal  18  end, being previously described; allowing the device  10  to collapse into a compact form being a fraction of its original length by releasing one (1) or both ends of the electrical cord  50 ; plugging the appliance  60  into a normal electrical outlet; extending the device  10  by extending the appliance  60  therefrom the plug portion  55 ; using the appliance  60  to perform hair care or other tasks as needed; collapsing the device  10  again by returning the appliance  60  thereto a position adjacent to the plug  55 ; and, benefiting from reduced tangling, clutter, and tripping hazards associated with uncontrolled electrical cords  50 , while using the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.