Self-aligning handling or storing device having side or top actuation and methods of use therefor

A device for handling or storing items uses jaw members that hinge to one of several closed positions in which the inner surface of a first jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the second jaw. An external release member in the second jaw is used to move the engagement device between an engaging and a disengaged position. The second jaw also incorporates a retaining surface, positioned opposite the outer surface of the first jaw when the jaws are closed, which opposes outward flexing of said first jaw member, and thus reduces the opportunity for disengagement due to forces from inside the jaws.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684, each naming the same inventor as the present application, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to devices for capturing items, such as for handling or storage of electrical cords or cables or other applications.

BACKGROUND

Handling and/or storage of items has presented numerous challenges, and despite the various handling and storage devices that have been devised, several problems continue to be difficult to resolve.

One example is the problem of storage of electrical cords or cables. Many people tend to leave their cords simply in a pile. Such an approach is unsightly and can be unsafe. Indeed, without better organization of the cords, storage can become a nightmare. One need only consider the PC laptop user trying to untangle the mess of cables from the briefcase in a busy airport.

Typically, wire-ties, tie wraps, cable ties, or twist-ties may be used to store cords in an effort to reduce such problems. However, such items are very difficult to use and require a great deal of manual dexterity. In particular, closing these ties around the bundled cord is quite challenging because the ends are free to go wherever they are pushed. Some of those items, and particularly twist-ties such as are used to close garbage bags, are unsightly, have only a short useful life, and can present a risk of injury due to the metal wire contained therein. Other cable management devices have been proposed, but they are usually quite bulky and again require a great deal of manipulation. By way of example, some cable management devices are molded into a split ring with the ends normally urged together. The ends may be temporarily held apart by the user while a cable is inserted into the device. Such a device is difficult to load with the bundled wire because the ends are normally urged together into a closed or nearly-closed position. The ends may be temporarily held apart by the user while a cable is inserted into the device. Such a device is difficult to load with the bundled wire because the ends are normally urged together into a closed or nearly-closed position.

When not attached to a cable or wire, a small wire tie or similar device is easy to lose. Also, such devices are typically designed for limited use, e.g., they cannot be non-destructively removed, or will experience substantial wear (e.g., metal fatigue) if repeatedly opened and closed. Thus, one cannot avoid losing a twist tie or wire tie by attaching it to the unbundled cable, since doing so will require destruction or damage to the twist tie or wire tie. This is a particular drawback in storage of cables which must be repeatedly bundled and unbundled, e.g., extension cords used with hand tools, portable computer cabling, and other similar applications.

Aside from bundles of wires, in various other situations, objects must be wrapped and held for storage, handling or other reasons; often wire ties, twist ties, or lengths of string are used in such situation, with unsatisfactory results for the same reasons as those noted above: difficulty in use, likelihood of loss, and destruction and wear resulting from repeated use.

Recent patents by the present inventor, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, have improved upon the situation described above by introducing handcuff-like elements having a pair of jaws that can self-sustain an open position while a bundled item is inserted, and then the jaws follow a fixed path or trajectory to close and latch around the bundled item. These devices are unlatched by generally pulling against a force generated by a living hinge or spring that keeps the two jaws engaged at their latching ends. This pulling action can be difficult and inconvenient depending upon the orientation, size, and location of the bundle. The person using the existing devices may have to locate and orient their bundles in a way that can accommodate the needed access for unlatching even though they would prefer a different orientation or location.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be released with a different motion and/or direction than is currently available without suffering the drawbacks noted above.

There is also a need for a device that is usable on a very small bundle, such as the wires leading to ear buds for portable entertainment devices. Ear buds, need only use a very small device since ear buds use a very thin wire. Devices such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684 could benefit the user of ear buds if they could be made in very small sizes, but their unlatching actions tend to limit how small they can go and still be easily used by the human hand. Therefor, a different unlatching action, able to be used when incorporated into a small device, is a desirable improvement.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a device for handling or storing items using jaw members that hinge to one of several closed positions, in which the inner surface of one jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the other, and an external release member is used to move the engagement device between an engaging and a disengaged position.

In another aspect, the invention features a device with hinged jaws in which the inner surface of a first jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the second jaw, in which the second jaw also incorporates a retaining surface, positioned opposite the outer surface of the first jaw when the jaws are closed, which opposes outward flexing of said first jaw member, and thus reduces the opportunity for disengagement due to forces from inside the jaws.

The detailed embodiments disclosed herein include a number of specific features, which although not necessary to the inventive aspects, may facilitate the implementation thereof. For example, teeth may be used in the inner engagement surface and the engagement device. A moveable member and cam may be used in the engagement device, the moveable member being actuated from the outside to move internal members of the engagement device and disengage the jaws. Handles, hooks or wedges of V- or C-shaped section, other may be incorporated in either jaw to aid in the use of the device. Also, the device may itself be incorporated into another device to increase availability. Finally, the jaw members may be hingedly connected in any number of ways, including the use of a hinge strap.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1,2,2A, and2B there is shown a handcuff-like element10having an interior area11, a cap12, and a pair of generally rigid jaw members14and16each having a proximal hinge end18,20and a distal attachment end22,24. Hinge ends18,20are directly connected together and held by a screw26or a similar fastening device that may act as an axle. Additionally, or instead of the screw26acting as an axle, the inside cylindrical surface28and the outside cylindrical surface30along with appropriate snap fit confronting faces or shoulders, may create an accurate axle system. The axle system causes jaw members14and16to self align relative to one another when they are pivoted between the self sustaining wide open position (FIG. 2A) and the closed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2Cthat encloses the interior area11. Alternately, as illustrated inFIG. 9Dbelow, a hinge strap, also known as a “living hinge” may be used in place of the axle system to similarly cause the jaws to self align when closed.

Cap12rests on shoulder32of jaw member16and is held in place by a pin34through holes as shown in cap12and jaw member16, but cap12could be attached by other methods, for example gluing or ultrasonic welding. On each side face of the cap are apertures36that are in line with two release tabs38that will be described below.

The cap12creates a passageway40(FIG. 2B) having a retaining surface42for guiding the attachment end22. Although jaws14and16are self aligning, and so retaining surface42is not required to guide attachment end22into a closed position, the retaining surface42aids in maintaining a latched condition by its close proximity to attachment end22, so that retaining surface42opposes flexing of attachment end22outwardly, such as might occur under forces from a bundle retained by jaw14. The “outwardly directed forces” would be most prevalent, for instance, if a person captured an oversized bundle of cord, preventing the device10from closing past just a few teeth of engagement, and thus the bundle exerts a force against the tooth portion of jaw14that may tend to open the jaws. The details of opening and closing of the jaws will be explained later. The outwardly directed forces would be a particular problem, if an oversized bundle were to receive an additive force such as by bumping or dropping of the bundle and device10. This embodiment of the device10could function in most circumstances even if cap12were not present, although it may not remain latched as well under the situations just described.

Jaw member14has a generally smooth retaining surface44and fixed teeth46on the inner surfaces and an outer press area48on the outer surface. Although smooth surfaces are shown in the FIGS., it will be appreciated that teeth46or other non-smooth features may extend along all of jaw member14, in other embodiments, such that there is not a smooth surface44.

Jaw member16has a generally smooth retaining surface50near its hinge end, an outer press area52on the outer surface, and a pawl54on its attaching end24. The pawl has deflecting teeth56and the horizontal release tabs38on each side. The fixed teeth46and the deflecting teeth56are sized to interlock. Both sets of teeth46,56may be backward angled as seen most clearly inFIG. 2D, to enhance their ability to pass over each other in the closing direction, but resist movement in the opening direction. Although multiple teeth56are shown in the drawings, a single tooth may perform the desired function satisfactorily. As seen most clearly inFIG. 2D, the pawl is at the end of a resilient cantilever portion58so that downward force on the top surface of release tab38, will cause the deflecting teeth56to move towards the interior of the device10. It should be noted that there are two release tabs38but a force on just one of them will deflect the teeth inwardly.

In operation, as with some other handcuff like devices used for bundling, the device is put in the fully open position so that the retaining surfaces44and50define a bundle receiving space60(FIG. 2A). The device will remain in this position without any assistance, while the bundled item is placed in the space60. Once the bundle is positioned, the user presses on outer press surfaces48and52to close the device. During the closing the attachment end22enters passageway40and the teeth46make contact with and pass over the teeth56(best seen inFIGS. 2C and 2D) while the pawl54flexes as teeth46pass over deflecting teeth56.

FIG. 2Ddemonstrates the initiating actions to open the device. The exposed (as seen exposed inFIG. 1) release tab portion38is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow toward the interior of the device, such as with a fingernail, so that the deflecting teeth56disengage from the fixed teeth46and then the jaw member14is removed from passageway40before the pressure is removed from tab38. It is only necessary to use one of the two release tabs38, thus, the device is operable even if access to one of the tabs is blocked, such as by a neighboring wall, a computer rack, or anything nearby.

The embodiment of a device110shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bmay be built with all of the same parts as the previous embodiment, except for using a different cap. Whereas cap12of the previous figures allowed the device to open only through the use of the two release tabs38, cap112of this embodiment additionally offers the user a button or spot190resiliently cantilevered as part of the cap's top surface191. Inside of the cap (seeFIGS. 3C,3D and3E), integral to the push button are two tabs192that pass near the inside wall of the cap112, so that when the button190is depressed the two tabs192make contact with the two release tabs38resulting in the same releasing motion that would be provided by one or both release tabs being depressed directly.

FIG. 3Ashows the device110in the latched condition with the teeth56on the pawl54in their raised position, interlocked with teeth46. The button190is approximately flush with the top surface191of the cap112. The arrow indicates the direction of movement to press button190to initiate unlatching.

FIG. 3Bshows button190being pushed toward the interior of the device110, and tabs192are in contact with release tabs38. Pawl54is deflected toward the interior of the device under the pressure from tabs192, which causes teeth56to move toward the interior of the device, and disengage from teeth46so that jaw member14can be removed from passageway40to complete unlatching.

FIG. 3Cis a cross sectional view of the device110ofFIGS. 3A and 3B. It is latched as inFIG. 3A. This cross sectional view shows two tabs192, apertures36, and release tabs38whereas only one of each is visible in the preceding views.FIG. 3Calso shows the relative thickness of the sidewalls193of cap112, and the apertures36providing space for the release tabs38. Spaces194between tabs192and the sidewalls of cap112are visible. Teeth46and56are interlocked since the clamp10is shown latched.

FIG. 3Dis a cross sectional view similar toFIG. 3Cbut of an alternative embodiment. Again this figure shows the embodiment in a latched condition. In this embodiment there is a cap312that does not have any apertures36to provide access to release tabs38, that is, cap312fully encloses release tabs38. The only means provided for opening the device is the button or spot190on the cap's top surface191. Release tabs38are accommodated inside cap312by two vertical channels195inside the cap312defined by reduced thickness of the sidewall193of the cap312in the area of the release tabs38. Optionally, changes may also be made to reduce the extension of release tabs38, since it is not necessary for a finger or fingernail to make contact with release tabs38in this embodiment, although changes to the extensions of release tabs38are not necessary if channels195are provided.

FIG. 3Eillustrates the embodiment ofFIG. 3D, with an arrow showing the directions the button190may be pushed to initiate unlatching. Pawl54has been deflected, and teeth46and56are disengaged so that the device can be opened in the same way as previously described for other embodiments.

Although this embodiment shows the pawl54being actuated by tabs192being contacted by tabs192integral with and approximately directly below button190, other embodiments could be made that move the tabs192and button190to different positions. This change, however, may require that the embodiment ofFIGS. 3D-3Ewould use different jaw members16, unless jaw member16was made to accommodate multiple positions of tabs192.

FIGS. 4,5,6A and6B show another embodiment of device210that combines advantageous aspects from two previously described embodiments. The three digit numbers used in this embodiment with like ending digits designate similar elements as the numbers in the previous embodiments. This embodiment has two side pushbuttons290cantilevered in the side surface of cap212which are actuated for unlatching by pushing either one, or both, of the two available buttons on cap212. Although the appearances of jaw members214and216look substantially different in this embodiment when compared to earlier figures having jaw members14and16, many of the visual differences are a matter of styling or related to the fact that this embodiment shows how the device would look if it were sized for a small bundle, such as for a set of ear bud cables as used on small digital music devices that are currently common. Functionally, however, jaw member214remains the same, whereas jaw member216is changed to accommodate the two side buttons290.

FIG. 6Ais a cross section showing the device212in the latched position, analogous withFIG. 4. Cap212defines a passageway240that defines on its surface a retaining surface242. Jaw member214has attaching end222and teeth246. Jaw member216has pawl254, deflecting teeth256, and tabs238. Teeth246are interlocked with teeth256. Tabs238do not have a top face as did release tabs38, but instead have angled side faces239. The reason for these angled side faces can best be understood by describing the unlatching actuation as follows.

Two arrows inFIG. 6Ashow the buttons290being depressed towards the pawl254so that the device will unlatch. The lower inner corner292of either or both of buttons290makes contact with angled surface239, causing pawl254to deflect toward the interior of the device as indicated by the arrow.

FIG. 6Bshows the same cross section asFIG. 6Awith the following differences: Buttons290have moved towards each other and the pawl254and deflecting teeth256have moved inwardly and disengaged from teeth246. The device is ready to be opened by moving the jaw member214out of the passageway240.

FIG. 7is shows a side partial sectional view of the device210in the latched position.

FIG. 8Ashows yet another embodiment of the invention. A device310is shown having a jaw member314that has teeth346that are disposed on the side of the jaw member rather than on the inward surface as in the other embodiments. A side button390is pushed to begin unlatching the device, using internal structures such as those shown inFIGS. 3D and 3E.

FIG. 8Bshows yet another embodiment of the invention. A device410is shown having a jaw member414that has teeth446that are disposed on the outside of the jaw member rather than on the inward surface as in the other embodiments. A side button490is pushed to begin unlatching the device, using internal structures such as those shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 9Ashows an embodiment of a size similar to that ofFIG. 4, but using two side buttons such as those in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4,5,6A,6B and7. A frame294has been added to so that a person's fingers could pass through or grip the open area296and frame294to provide an easy way for a person to carry device210and its contents. Frame294could be roughened or knurled to assist in gripping. A handle such as the one formed by frame294is especially convenient when the size of the device210is small, in which case grasping the combination of the device and a bundle could result in accidentally depressing a button290, causing the device210to unlatch. The frame294and open area296also forms a convenient way to hang a bundle and device combination. For instance, a coiled extension cord, captured by the device210, could be hung on peg on a garage wall by passing open area296over the peg.

FIG. 9Bshows an embodiment with two side buttons as inFIG. 9A, in which, instead of a frame294creating an open space296, a gripping wall298is provided. Wall298may be knurled or roughened to facilitate gripping.

FIG. 9Bfurther illustrates optional wedges300a,300band300cincorporated into wall298, used for mounting the device. Wedges may mount the device onto the object to be bundled (such as a headphone or extension cord) or to another cylindrically-shaped item such as a peg in a pegboard. The device may incorporate wedge structures of varying sizes thus allowing the user to select the wedge300a,300b,300cthat is sized to accommodate the particular size of cord or tubular structure to attach to the device. The use and operation of wedge structures is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,945, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. By selecting a wedge300a,300b,300cthat is slightly smaller than the cord or tubular structure, sufficient friction may be generated to prevent the cord or tubular structure from sliding in the wedge. On the other hand, if such sliding is desired, a wedge that is slightly larger than the cord or tubular structure may be selected.

FIG. 9Cshows an embodiment as inFIG. 9Aor9B except that in this case there are two optional walls rather than just one as shown inFIG. 9B. The necessary internal workings for the two buttons are situated between the two walls. The two walls may define therein various wedges such as300dand300eillustrated inFIG. 9C. One way of constructing this embodiment is for the jaw member216to be able to accommodate a bigger cap412. The internal workings can include structures extending from the buttons that reach to the pawl, or the pawl can be made larger to extend to the buttons.

FIG. 9Dshows a further alternate embodiment510having jaw members514,516that are integrally joined by a hinge strap or “living hinge”526. This integral resilient hinge526performs the same alignment function as the screw26or cylindrical portion30disclosed in the embodiments of earlier figures. The contour at526can be of many shapes, and it is a function of the materials, thicknesses and curvatures used for a particular design of clamp510. Although this hinge strap is only shown in thisFIG. 9D, the concept can be used for any of the device embodiments shown.

FIG. 10shows a method of use for any one of the embodiments such as device10. Any one of the embodiments can be provided with one or more hooks62that could be of a variety of shapes and at a variety of locations either in the interior11of elsewhere on the device. This hook could either removably, or permanently, attach the device10to an object64suitable for bundling. Other embodiments might use a wedge as described above to grip the cord being bundled, or other parts of the object64. The object64shown inFIG. 10is a set of ear buds and attached cords, as typically used for listening to music from portable audio devices.

FIG. 11shows another example of an environment of use similar to that shown inFIG. 10. In this example the object64is an electrical device, such as a power drill, blow dryer, or extension cord. Any corded device or other device in need of bundling (such as a piece of rope) could be bundled in the manner shown in this drawing.

FIG. 12shows an example of a device610permanently or removably attached to an object65that uses a cord64needing bundling. In this embodiment the device610is attached to the object65rather than to the cord64that needs bundling.

FIG. 12Ashows a further embodiment, in which an object66incorporates into its structure, a device610utilizing principles previously illustrated. Specifically, the device610creates a space11in which, for example, a cord64may be bundled. Whereas in previous embodiments, for example the embodiment210(FIG. 12) included two jaw members such as214and216, in the present embodiment, only one jaw member614may be included. The functional portions, such as the pawl54and moving teeth56of the jaw member216shown in previous embodiments, are incorporated within the body of the object66. Button690is outwardly visible and leads to internal moving parts controlling pawl54as discussed with reference to prior embodiments. InFIG. 12A, jaw member614has fixed teeth646on the inner surface, and button690moves a pawl into and out of engagement with teeth646, similar to button290of previous figures. Alternatively, a button such as190ofFIG. 3Amay be used along with side teeth (such as346inFIG. 8A). Similarly, teeth on the outer surface of jaw614(such as teeth446inFIG. 8B) could be used on jaw member614, with appropriate arrangement of a pawl to interlock with those teeth.

AlthoughFIGS. 12 and 12Ashown a portable music player that does not have a protective carrying case, in many examples of these portable players, the user may elect to use an exterior case surrounding the device for decorative and/or protective reasons. The principles of this invention, shown inFIGS. 12 and 12A, may be applied to a carrying case as readily as to the object itself; that is, the device210may be attached to a case and/or a device610may be integrated into a case.