Abstract:
An organizing device for supporting a coilable item which includes an elongated rack with a row of notches along the rack for receiving a segment of a loop of a coilable item. An arm may extend transversely from the rack to be engaged by a segment of the lower portion of the loop of the coilable item so that the item is looped between the arm and a notch. A locking arm has one end pivotally attached to the rack and its other end provided with a latching mechanism to secure it to the rack, the arm extending over said notches when secured to the rack. A second embodiment includes two rows of notches meeting each other at their top with the bottom ends spread to form an inverted V or U. A third embodiment includes a plurality of moveable blocks adjustably mounted on an elongated rack, with adjacent blocks defining a notch between them for reception of a segment of a loop of a coilable item.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a storage device for coilable items such as cords, hoses, ropes or the like, and more particularly to such a storage device that helps prevent tangling of a coilable item when stored. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is typical for users to store a coilable item by continuously wrapping it around a single protrusion so that segments of the coilable item overlap other segments. However, winding in this manner often results in the coilable item tangling and makes accessing the item difficult. There is a need for a device whereby a user can wind a coilable item, such as an electrical extension cord or hose, prevent the item from becoming entangled and, when needed, release and access the item easily. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    It is an object to provide an improved storage device with multiple notches for receiving segments of a coilable item. Tangling of the coilable item that is commonly caused by wrapping the item continually around a single protrusion is avoided. 
         [0004]    In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure there is provided an organizing device for supporting a coilable item that comprises at least one elongated rack of notches with a top end and a bottom end. Each notch has a top surface and a bottom surface whereby a coilable item can be wrapped in continuous loops with segments of the item inserted into successive notches along the rack. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure there is provided an organizing device for supporting a coilable item that comprises two elongated rows of notches. Each row has a plurality of notches positioned between a top end and a bottom end. The rows form an inverted V or U-shape and meet at a vertex located proximate the top ends of the rows. Each notch is positioned along the rows at substantially the same distance from the vertex as a corresponding notch in the other row. A coilable item can be wrapped in continuous loops with segments of the item inserted into successive notches along the rows. 
         [0006]    In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure there is provided an organizing device for supporting a coilable item that comprises at least one elongated rod with a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of moveable blocks is adjustably mounted on the rod. Adjacent blocks define a notch between them for reception of a segment of a loop of a coilable item. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the accompanying drawing, like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an organization device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the organization device of  FIG. 1  engaged with an electrical cord in an open position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the organization device of  FIG. 2  in a closed position for storage; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are enlarged views of an embodiment of a latching mechanism employed with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an organization device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  engaged with a garden hose; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of the housing of an adjustable embodiment of an organization device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken along the lines  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7C  is an end view of the housing of  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable embodiment of the organization device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIGS. 1-3  depict an embodiment of the organization device for supporting a coilable item. As used throughout, a “coilable item” could be a hose, cord, wire, rope or any other like object that can be wrapped continuously or “coiled”. As can be seen, the organization device  10  according to this embodiment is relatively linear in shape and comprises a rack  12  with a top end  12   a  and a bottom end  12   b . The device  10  further includes a row of notches  14  positioned relatively uniformly spaced from each other extending along the length of the rack  12  from a location near the top end  12   a  to a location near the bottom end  12   b . In this embodiment, the rack  12  is generally linear in shape. However, the device can employ a rack of virtually any shape that is capable of supporting a row of notches. 
         [0019]    The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  also includes a handle  16  proximate the top end  12   a  of rack  12  for grasping the device. The handle  16  also serves as a means for hanging the device on a fixed body such as a beam, shelf or the like. While the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  employs a handle  16 , the means for hanging may be anything that enables the device to be mounted to a fixed surface, including a strap, hole, or even an adhesive material. Generally, the device is mounted on a surface with the notches  14  facing outward from the surface. 
         [0020]    Each notch  14  in the device comprises a bottom surface  14   a , a top surface  14   b  and a rear surface  14   c . The size of each notch  14  may be slightly larger than the diameter of the coilable item, but it is also possible that for some applications the notches  14  could be significantly larger. Also, in the case of certain coilable items, for example a hose, the width of the notch may be slightly less than the diameter of the item so that the item is slightly compressed when inserted into the notch. The bottom surface  14   a , top surface  14   b  and rear surface  14   c  of the notches  14  form a relatively round inner surface that corresponds generally with the shape of the outer surface of the coilable item. However, the device can ultimately be practiced with inner surfaces of any shape, including bottom surface  14   a  and top surface  14   b  being physically separated by a gap. 
         [0021]    The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  also features an extension  13  with top end  13   a  and bottom end  13   b . The top end  13   a  can be rigidly attached to rack  12  proximate the bottom end  12   a  of the rack. However, the device  10  need not comprise two separate pieces. The device can also be formed with the rack  12  and extension  13  as an integral one-piece structure. 
         [0022]    A wrapping arm  18  is rigidly attached to extension  13 , preferably near bottom end  13   b . In this embodiment, the arm  18  is generally linear and extends transversely from the extension  13 . The arm  18  may be generally perpendicular to the extension  13 . In another embodiment, (not shown), the extension  13  may be slidably engaged with rack  12  so that the distance between the wrapping arm  18  and the notches  14  can be adjusted as the user desires. Alternatively, the wrapping arm  18  can be slidably engaged with the extension  13  to affect the same adjustability. While not depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , extension  13  can further comprise additional attachment means such as a hook, hole, adhesive or the like. 
         [0023]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  also includes a pivotable locking arm  20  having one end connected to the top end  12   a  of the rack  12  by a pivot pin  22 . The other end of the locking arm  20  is adapted to be connected or latched to the rack  12  at a point below the notches  14  by a releasable latching mechanism  24 . In the pictured embodiment, the length of arm  20  generally corresponds to the length of rack  12 , but it is not essential. However, the arm should be of a length that it covers the notches  14  when latched to the rack  12 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict enlarged views of the latching mechanism  24 .  FIG. 4A  depicts the opened position and  FIG. 4B  depicts the closed (locked) position. The latching mechanism  24  includes a flexible finger or detent  23  proximate the bottom end  12   b  of the rack  12 . The finger or detent  23  is provided with a notch  25  that is adapted to receive a lip  26  on the locking arm  20  when the locking arm  20  is in the closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 4B . The finger or detent  23  includes a tapered extension portion  27  which is adapted to be engaged by the lip on the locking arm  20  as the locking arm is moved into the closed position. The tapered extension portion  27  moves the finger or detent  23  out of the way so that the lip  26  on the locking arm  20  can move over the finger or detent  23  until the lip  26  is engaged within the notch  25 . The extension portion  27  also provides a means for grasping the finger or detent  23  to move it out of engagement with the lip  26  to permit the locking arm to be moved into its open position. 
         [0025]    It is understood that other arrangements for latching the locking arm  20  in the closed position may be used. Such other arrangements may include, but are not limited to, a locking mechanism on the extension  13  or providing the finger or detent  23  on the locking arm  20  and the lip  26  or the equivalent on the rack  12  or extension  13 . 
         [0026]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the organization device allows one to efficiently wrap a coilable item  28 , in this depiction an electrical cord, around the wrapping arm  18  and insert a segment of the cord  28  into successive notches  14  along the length of the rack  12  instead of continuously wrapping the cord around a single protrusion. The notches  14  are configured to hold the inserted segment in place with the bottom surface  14   b  of each notch  14  supporting the mass of the inserted segment of the coilable item  28 . After the coilable item  28  is sufficiently wrapped around the wrapping member  18  and the notches  14 , the device is locked for storage of the coilable item. This is accomplished by the user pivoting the locking arm  20  about pivot pin  22  and latching it in the closed position as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    The rack  12 , extension  13  and wrapping member  18  can be made from a completely rigid material like plastic or metal. However, a more malleable material like rubber can also be employed, so long as the material is rigid and strong enough so that the device  10  is capable of supporting the mass of the coilable item. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5 and 6  depict another preferred embodiment that is especially useful for use with a larger coilable item such as a garden hose. Like the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6  comprises rows of notches  14 . Each notch  14  has a top surface  14   a , a bottom surface  14   b  and a rear surface  14   c . The notches  14  are spaced relatively uniformly along the length of racks  12 . However, the  FIGS. 5 and 6  embodiment features two racks  12  of notches  14  configured in an inverted V or U-shape with the top ends  12   a  of the rows of notches  14  meeting proximate a vertex  30 . This embodiment further includes a brace  32  connected between the two racks  12  toward their bottom ends  12   b . The brace  32  provides the device  10  with additional rigidity. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the device may include means for permitting the device to be supported on a wall. Such means may be in the form of holes  34  in the vertex portion  30  and the brace  32  as shown. 
         [0030]    It should be noted that while the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6  features two separate racks in an inverted V-shape, other embodiments can exist so long at least two rows of notches are provided. One example of such an embodiment can include a relatively planar rack with a series of protrusions that define notches arranged in a relatively V-shaped configuration. 
         [0031]    A user can employ the inverted V embodiment much like the linear embodiment of FIG.  1 —by wrapping a coilable item  28  (in  FIG. 6 , a garden hose) and inserting segments of the item into successive notches  14  along the racks  12 . The additional row of notches provides added support for larger, heavier and/or stiffer coilable items. 
         [0032]    Though not shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , this embodiment can include extensions with wrapping arms extending from the bottoms of each of the rows of notches  14  similar to the extension  13  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Alternatively, the embodiment can include an extension extending from proximate the vertex  30  to below the bottom ends of the rows of notches  14 , with a wrapping arm positioned at the lower end thereof below the rows of notches. 
         [0033]    These additional embodiments can be operated just like the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . A coilable item  28  is wrapped around the wrapping arm(s) and segments of the item are inserted into successive notches  14 . 
         [0034]    Further, a pivotable locking arm or arms can be employed to “lock” the coilable item  28  in the grooves  14  in a similar manner as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7A-7C  and  8  show an embodiment of an adjustable organization device with housing. In this embodiment, the location of each notch upper and lower surface  14   a  and  14   b  along rack  15  is adjustable. Consequently, the size of each notch  14  and distance between successive notches  14  can be adjusted as appropriate for different coilable items. 
         [0036]    This particular embodiment includes a housing  36  with walls  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d  and  36   e  (rear wall; not pictured in  FIG. 8 ) which substantially encloses the rack  15  such that notches  14  lie to the exterior of the housing. This housing  36  provides the device with increased stability and allows the device to be more easily attached to a fixed body like a wall or shelf. Alternatively, the rack  15  can be removably fixed inside housing  36  after a coilable item is wrapped with segments inserted into successive grooves. 
         [0037]    The rack  15  is in the form of a rod and the notches  14  are formed between adjacent moveable blocks  37 . The moveable blocks  37  are mounted on the rod with a friction fit so that spacing between adjacent blocks can be adjusted and the blocks will maintain their adjusted position until moved. 
         [0038]    While various embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto. Accordingly, it is understood that the present embodiments have been described by way of illustration and not of limitation.