Wire management bag

A wire management bag (18) including a body (20) having closure mechanism, and furniture attachment system, is provided. The body (20) further includes an open top (38) and at least one opening (29) therein for egress of wires destined for other electronic or electrical equipment. The closure mechanism is preferably a portfolio-type hinged mechanism (54). The furniture attachment system preferably includes first and second hanging straps (36), (40). One end (42) of each hanging strap is attached to the body, other end (44) is hung from furniture-attached hooks (48) via a D-ring (46) in each strap. In a first alternative embodiment, the body (20) of the present invention includes one or more dividers therein for permitting the separation of various types of wiring. In a second alternative embodiment, the body includes one or more venting holes (60), (62) for allowing maximum heat dissipation. In operation, the hanging straps (36), (40) are hung from the hooks (48), and the body (20) is allowed to hang downwardly. Next, electrical wires are placed into the bag (18) via its open top (38). Wiring intended to connect to other equipment is pulled through the at least one opening (29). The closure mechanism is operated to close the body top (38).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to apparatus of organization, and more 
particularly, to an efficient device for organizing electrical and 
electronic wiring. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It has become common for individuals and companies to own a number of 
electronic devices, such as computers, printers, stereos, speakers, etc. 
Most of these devices include electrical wiring that extends from their 
back sides to either other electronic equipment or to a power source. As 
the number of available electronic devices has increased, so too has the 
number of wires surrounding a user's overall system. Most people simply 
gather the wires into a pile and attempt to hide the pile behind a piece 
of furniture. 
Having a large jumble of wires is disadvantageous for various reasons. 
Obviously, a large jumble of wires looks unsightly and can become 
annoyingly tangled. A large pile of wires is also difficult to keep clean, 
as is the surrounding floor. The situation typically results in increased 
accumulation of dirt and dust at the floor location of the wires. Where a 
pathway exists around the pile of wires, there is a danger that a person 
may trip on the wires as he or she walks past. The wires are also a 
hindrance to the user who may need the space for his or her feet or legs. 
The placement of the wires at the back of a table or desk may also cause 
harm to the wires if they are kicked or distorted by the user's feet. 
Tangled or jumbled wires can be difficult to trace, such as if an 
adjustment or change for a connection is desired, and can interfere with 
easy routing of new or replacement wires. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an apparatus for organizing the electrical 
wiring accompanying current electronic equipment. Such an apparatus lifts 
all wires off the floor and is easy to use with many types of tables, 
desks, or other equipment-holding furniture. The apparatus is strong and 
large enough to store large cabling and tidily holds all wires out of 
view. The apparatus also allows the user to easily connect any wire to a 
peripheral device or a power supply source. Such an apparatus provides an 
additional modesty function for those users having a table or desk with an 
open back. 
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus in accordance with the present 
invention is in the form of a wire management bag that includes a folded 
canvas body having closure mechanism, and a furniture attachment system. 
The bag is attached to a desk, table, or the like, for use in holding all 
types of electronic wires, computer cables, etc. The body includes or 
forms at least one opening to allow egress of wires and cables destined 
for other electronic equipment, as needed. 
In accordance with other aspects of the preferred embodiment, the body is 
formed by folding a substantially square piece of canvas in half, a bottom 
being defined along the fold line. An open top is formed between the top 
edges, opposite the folded bottom. 
In accordance with further aspects of the preferred embodiment, the closure 
mechanism functions to keep the wires within the body and to hide them 
from view. The closure mechanism may be selected from a number of 
closures, a portfolio-type spring hinge mechanism being preferred. 
In accordance with yet other aspects of the preferred embodiment, the 
furniture attachment system serves to attach the body to a piece of 
furniture so that the wires are held above the floor. The furniture 
attachment system may be selected from a number of known attachment 
arrangements, the preferred furniture attachment including first and 
second hanging straps. One end of each strap is attached to the body, and 
the other end includes a D-ring that may be hung from a furniture-attached 
hook. 
In a first alternative embodiment, the body includes one or more dividers 
for permitting the separation of different types of wiring. 
In a second alternative embodiment, the body includes one or more venting 
holes for allowing maximum heat dissipation. 
The preferred wire management bag is operated by first attaching it to the 
desired piece of furniture. Next, electrical wires (e.g., computer wires, 
stereo wires, video equipment wires, etc.) are inserted into the bag 
through the open top. Wiring intended to connect to other equipment is 
pulled through the side or end opening, leaving the excess wiring in the 
bag. The closure is operated to close the top. Alternatively, wiring may 
be inserted into the bag through the side opening, while exiting from the 
open top. 
Thus, a would-be jumble of wires is held off of the floor and out of sight. 
This makes it easier to clean the surrounding floor areas, as well as 
safer for passersby and users alike. If the wire management bag is hung 
from an exposed open-backed desk, the bag additionally serves as a modesty 
panel for the person sitting at the desk by at least partially covering 
the back area of the desk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In describing the device of the present invention, reference is made to its 
application to computer wires. However, it should be understood that the 
device of the present invention is not intended to be limited for use with 
only computer wires. The device may be used with electrical wiring from 
various types of electronic and electrical equipment in the same manner as 
described below with respect to computer wiring. Therefore, although the 
present invention was developed for, and is described in connection with, 
computer wiring, it is to be clearly understood that the present invention 
may also find application in other areas. 
With reference to FIG. 1, the preferred wire management bag 18 of the 
present invention includes a body 20 having a front panel 22, a back panel 
24, a closed bottom 26, an open top 38, a first end 28, and a second end 
30. The body 20 is formed by folding a substantially square sheet 21 of 
flexible but dimensionally stable material in half, the bottom 26 being 
defined by the fold line. The preferred resulting body 20 is therefore 
rectangular in shape--wider than it is tall. The body 20 is sized to 
adequately accommodate the expected number of wires for the intended 
application. A canvas sheet roughly 30-inches by 30-inches has been found 
to work well for the body. Of course, other suitable materials and sizes 
may be used to form the body. 
The closed bottom 26 may optionally be formed by using one of a number of 
different methods. For example, horizontal seams may be sewn along 
overlapping bottom margins of rectangular front and back panels. Also, the 
closed bottom may be reinforced by inserting a flat rigid member in the 
bottom of the body (or small, round metal rods, etc.) in order to create 
an elongate channel therein. Such a channel is especially useful in 
keeping the bottom of the body from bunching up in sections. Even though 
formation of a reinforced bottom 26 is not actually necessary to the 
present invention, it does add to a tidy appearance of the bag during its 
use. Likewise, metal stays may be incorporated into any portion of the bag 
(e.g., the bottom, the front panel, the back panel, etc.) to provide 
additional rigidity. 
The first and second ends 28, 30 of the body are formed by joining adjacent 
upright side edges of the front and back panels. At least one of the ends 
includes an opening 29 for egress of wires destined for other electronic 
or electrical equipment, e.g., peripherals, power sources, surge 
protectors, etc. The opening 29 may be formed in the front or back panel 
22 or 24 if such a location would be more advantageous for a particular 
application. Preferably, however, the opening 29 is through a lower end 
location. It is advantageous for a wire management bag formed in 
accordance with the present invention to include some lower opening in the 
bag to allow one or more wires to easily extend to a distant object 
without tangling with the wire segments protruding through the top. 
The first and second ends 28, 30 may be formed in a variety of ways. In the 
preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ends are formed by 
connecting the canvas sheet side edges using a number of horizontal 
flexible straps 34. Each strap is sewn at one end to the back panel 24 and 
at its other end to the front panel 22. The use of straps not only helps 
to define the bag's ends, but also provides multiple vertically spaced 
openings between the straps 34 through which the wires may be egressed. 
The preferred number of straps is two or three per side, since using at 
least two straps provides better dimensional stability of the overall bag, 
while using three still allows for easy egress of wires therefrom. 
Other methods may be used to form the ends 28, 30. What is important is 
that the overall bag 18 design be capable of holding a multitude of wires 
and cables in a tidy fashion. Example designs for joining the edges 
include using hook and pile fasteners, buttons, snaps, buckles, zippers, 
seams, glue, etc. Likewise, one of various methods may be used to form the 
one or more openings 29 in the bag 18, including simply cutting a hole 
through the material of the body. 
Some closure mechanism is preferably provided to normally bias the top 
edges of the front and back panels together. As previously described, the 
top 38 is open to allow wires to be placed into the body 20. The closure 
mechanism functions to keep the wires within the body 20 and to hide the 
mass of wires from view. The preferred closure mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 
and 2 is a portfolio-type spring hinge mechanism 54 which includes 
sections of stiff strips resiliently joined together so as to be manually 
moveable from closed positions in which the top edges of the front and 
back panels are linear and spring biased together, and open positions in 
which the central portions of the top edges are spread apart. 
Other methods of closure are possible, including using hook and pile 
fasteners, snaps, buttons, spring-assisted closures, drawstrings, 
fold-over flaps, ties, etc. Nevertheless, the portfolio-type hinged 
mechanism is preferred, because it can be easily opened and remain open 
without further assistance. A user may load the bag 18 with wires without 
having to simultaneously hold the top open. The portfolio-type hinged 
mechanism is also preferred because, once shut, it tends to remain shut 
even though the front and back panels 22, 24 are being urged apart by the 
coiled wires inside of the body 20. 
The furniture attachment system is located near the top 38, and functions 
to attach the body to a piece of furniture so that the bag and its wires 
are held off the floor. The furniture attachment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 
includes first and second hanging straps 36, 40. One end 42 of each strap 
is sewn at a top corner portion of the body. The other end 44 of each 
strap includes a D-ring 46 that allows the straps to be hung from 
furniture-attached hooks 48 (FIG. 2). The optimal location for the hooks 
48 is at the back of a table or desktop 52, either along the back vertical 
edge or on the table underside. The hanging strap D-ring is of a known 
type that is preferably capable of allowing the hanging strap to be 
adjusted in vertical height. The furniture attachment may include any one 
of a number of other known length adjustment components (e.g., buckles) in 
order to increase the user's ability to customize the vertical placement 
of the bag. 
Other attachment methods may be used instead of straps 36, 40, D-rings 46, 
and hooks 48, including: straps with eyelets; screws or other mechanical 
fastening devices; straps and furniture attaching clamps having integrated 
hooks; plastic or metal snap connectors, such as by having a male portion 
located on the body and a female portion located on the piece of 
furniture; a rigid plastic hanger attached to the body and hung from a 
provided support bar that is attached to a piece of furniture; etc. 
Additionally, the bag could be attached directly to a specific piece of 
electronic equipment instead of to a piece of furniture. For example, 
screws may be placed in the back face of a desktop hard drive to receive 
the strap D-rings. 
In a first alternative embodiment, the body of the present invention 
includes one or more dividers or partitions (shown diagrammatically in 
broken lines 56 in FIG. 1) therein for permitting the separation of 
different types of wiring. For example, data carrying wires may be 
separated from power supply wires; or stereo equipment wires may be 
separated from computer equipment wires; and so on. For applications 
having a significant number of wires, this alternative embodiment is 
particularly helpful in organizing the mass of wires. 
The divider arrangement is most easily formed by sewing a piece of canvas 
to the inside surfaces of the body front and back panels to define the 
areas to be separated. A seam is indicated in FIG. 1 by number 58. Such a 
partition may be formed parallel to the front and back panels as shown in 
FIG. 1, or transverse to the front and back panels, or otherwise. Another 
method of forming this divider arrangement is to attach two bodies to each 
other, where a first body back panel is sewn to a second body front panel, 
each body having its own openings and closure mechanism. 
In a second alternative embodiment, the body includes one or more venting 
holes for allowing wire heat dissipation. In FIG. 1, a representative 
configuration is provided that includes a number of circular venting holes 
60 shown in phantom. These holes may be placed at various locations to 
promote the escape of heat from the body. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a second 
representative configuration that includes a webbed panel 62 used to form 
a portion of the body in lieu of canvas material. The webbed panel 62 also 
allows heat to escape from the inside of the bag via the open areas 
between each web member 63. It is preferable that the entire body 20 not 
be comprised of such webbed material, though, due to the unsightly 
possibility of wires inadvertently poking through the webbing. 
Additionally, the present invention encompasses using a heat resistant (or 
retardent) material in forming the body, or in lining a portion of the 
inside of the body. 
In operation, the body is hung from a piece of furniture. In FIG. 2, the 
first and second hanging straps 36, 40 are attached to the 
furniture-mounted hooks 48 via the strap D-rings 46. Next, electrical 
wires (e.g., computer wires, stereo wires, video equipment wires, etc.) 
are inserted into the bag 18 through the top opening 38. Wiring intended 
to connect to other equipment is pulled through an end opening 29, while 
leaving the excess wiring in the bag. The closure mechanism is operated to 
close the top. Alternatively, the open top 38 may be used for both 
inserting and egressing wires, or wires may be inserted via the opening 29 
and egressed via the open top 38. 
In this way, the present invention wire management bag 18 neatly holds a 
would-be jumble of wires off the floor and out of sight. This makes it 
easier to keep the wires and the floor area clean, as well as safer for 
passersby and users alike. If the wire management bag 18 is hung from an 
open-backed desk, the bag additionally serves as a modesty panel for the 
person sitting at the desk. 
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and 
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.