Cord storage device

The storage device has a central elongated support member or shaft and has a plurality of plates extending outwardly from the shaft and secured thereto at spaced intervals along the length of the shaft. Each of the plates has a plurality of hooks and eyes formed around their peripheries. The hooks preferably are shaped to have bungee cords wrapped around them to hold the bungee cords in place, and the eyes are shaped to receive hooks attached to the ends of the bungee cords.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A CO-INVENTOR

See above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cord storage device, such as an elastic bungee cord storage device, and to such a device which allows the storage of multiple bungee cords in a manner so as to prevent them from becoming tangled with one another.

Bungee cords are tough elastic cords, usually with hooks on both ends, which are used to hold covers on cargo in trucks or other cargo carriers, and for similar tasks. They also are used for sporting purposes.

The cords vary widely in length. They are difficult and time-consuming to use when a significant number of them are used or stored in a given location. Often they become tangled with one another when stored together.

Accordingly, a number of different holders have been proposed in the past for neatly storing bungee cords. However, the proposed devices have been less than fully satisfactory. Some have taken up too much space, some have been cumbersome and slow to use, most have been relatively costly to make, and some do not protect the bungee cords from abrasion and other physical damage during storage.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bungee cord storage device which avoids or alleviates the foregoing problems.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a bungee cord storage device which stores the cords compactly and neatly while avoiding tangling of the cords.

It also is an object of the invention to provide such a device which is compact, relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and is easy to use, protects the bungee cords from damage, and is relatively easy to mount in a vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a storage device is provided in which a central elongated support member or shaft has a plurality of plates extending outwardly from the shaft and secured thereto at spaced intervals along the length of the shaft. Each of the plates has a plurality of hooks and eyes formed around its periphery. The hooks preferably are shaped to have bungee cords wrapped around them to hold the bungee cords in place, and the eyes are shaped to receive hooks attached to the ends of the bungee cords.

The device allows a plurality of bungee cords of varying length to be stored compactly and retrieved quickly. The structure is relatively simple and of modest cost to make.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1of the drawings, the storage device10has an elongated central support member or shaft12and support plates14,16,18,20,22,24, and26attached to and extending outwardly from the shaft12at spaced intervals along the length of the shaft.

A bungee cord46is shown inFIG. 1secured to the storage device in a manner so as to minimize the chances that it will become tangled with any other bungee cord. The bungee cord has a hook48at one end and another hook50at the other end, and is wrapped at52around a hook on the lower plate26of the storage device. The hook48is hooked into the top plate14, and the hook50is hooked into another plate20. The locations of the plates to which the hooks are hooked are determined so as to allow the storage of cords of variable length with each cord stretched taut, at least slightly, without unduly stretching any cord.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the bottom of the circular lower plate26. The plate26has three hooks28,30and32extending outwardly from the center of the plate, at radially equidistant positions around the center of the plate. Each of the hooks is approximately T-shaped with circumferentially-extending lobes formed by angled cut-outs on both sides of the hook so as to form receptacles for a bungee cord when it is wrapped around the hook, as indicated at52.

Also, there are three sets or pairs of eyes34,36, and38spaced equidistantly from one another radially around the center of the plate26. Each of the eyes has an elongated radially-extending slot which is larger in diameter at the outer extremities of the disc than towards the center. This shape well suits the hooks which are to be fitted into them.

In use, the hook at one end of a bungee cord is inserted through one of the eyes in one of the end plates26or14(or in any other desired plate), and the hook at the other end of the bungee

cord is inserted into the eye of another plate. The other plate is selected so that the bungee cord is neatly attached to the storage device, and preferably is slightly stretched to make it taut.

If necessary, due to the length of the bungee cord being greater than the length of the storage device, as is the cord46shown inFIG. 1, the bungee cord is wrapped around a hook28,30or32in one end plate14or26and attached to another plate, such as the plate20as shown inFIG. 1.

The shape of the T-shaped hooks in the plates is well-adapted to receive and hold the bungee cord in place and prevent it from coming loose undesirably, until removed by one intending to do so.

Three extra holes40,42and44provide additional receptacles for hooks.

The storage device can be made from a number of different materials. In one embodiment, both the shaft and the plates are all made of metal. In another embodiment, the components of the storage device are made of extruded and molded plastic. Preferably, the shaft12is a hollow, plastic tube with or without a metal insert, such as a piece of rebar or metal pipe, if needed, to give extra strength. The plates similarly can be molded plastic or plastic-coated metal or other suitable materials.

The plates can be attached to the shaft by means such as metal welding or ultrasonic welding for plastics, or by adhesives, or by threaded fasteners.

The position of each plate along the length of the shaft can be made adjustable by providing a hub for each of the plates to encircle the shaft, with a single or plurality of set screws which can be loosened to move the plate along the shaft and retightened to hold it in position. Other suitable means can be used to make the position of each plate adjustable.

The shape of the plate as shown in the drawings is circular. However, the plates can be given any shape desired. For example, the plates can be square or rectangular, triangular, or can have a variety of other shapes.

The storage device can be provided with a simple mounting structure for mounting it in a truck or other such vehicle to conveniently store bungee cords in commercial or other vehicles.

FIGS. 3-6show another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4shows an assembled storage device60, andFIG. 3shows the same device in an exploded view.

The device60has an extruded plastic tube62as a central shaft, with a longitudinal groove64.

A plurality of plates66, like the plates14,16, etc. shown inFIGS. 1 and 2are fitted onto the shaft62in spaced-apart relationship with one another. Each plate66has a short projection72(FIG. 5) which fits into the groove64to keep the plate66from rotating on the shaft. A pair of end caps82is fitted over the ends of the shaft to close its hollow interior.

Referring toFIG. 6, the shaft62is an extruded hollow tube made of stiff, tough thermoplastic such as ABS.

As shown inFIG. 5, each plate66has the same hooks and eyes as the plate shown inFIG. 2. However, the plate66is molded out of a tough plastic such as ABS, and has reinforcing ribs such as80.

Also, the plate66has a central hole68to fit around the shaft62, with four friction pads70to bear against the outside surface of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the hole68.

The device60is assembled by sliding the plates onto the shaft62with the projection72of each plate fitted into the groove64, and then seeming each plate at a desired location along the shaft by adhesive or ultrasonic welding or the like.

FIG. 6shows the cross-sectional shape of the shaft to be a circular tube with an internal thickened area76to keep the groove64from compromising the strength of the tube.

The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.