Abstract:
A cord organizer and method of using the same is provided. The cord organizer is used for storing, handling and transporting cords or the like, such as electrical extension cords. The cord organizer includes a base for coiling a cord around by forming successive loops of the cord about the base. A flexible strap is provide for securing the coiled cord onto the cord organizer and to secure the individual loops of the coil to prevent the loops from becoming entangled during transportation or storage. In alternate embodiments, the base of the organizer is telescopic to be adjustable in length, cord end clips are provided to restrain free movement of the cord ends, means to positively lock the base is provided and a latch to releasably secure the strap within the slot is provided. An extension cord can also be provided having an integrally molded cord adaptor for attachment to a cord end clip. In addition, a method of using the cord organizer is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to organizing a cord. More particularly, relating to organizing and storing a coiled cord, such as an electrical extension cord so that the cord does not become entangled. 
     Storing or handling cords, such as electrical cords can be a tedious and frustrating task. This is especially true when the cord is of great length and must be coiled to facilitate the transport, handling or storing of the cord. Typically, the cord is coiled into many loops and then bundled together by either attaching a tie wrap or the like or even by wrapping one end of the cord about a mid point of the coil in an attempt to secure the coil and prevent unraveling. The mere looping of the cord into a coil itself presents a challenge of trying to coil the cord without overlapping and crisscrossing successive loops that can result in entanglement of the cord and present a tedious task of detangling the cord before use. In addition, the loops of coiled cords tend to migrate together with out restraint, which often results in entanglement of the cord. 
     In addition to the challenges presented in coiling a cord and retaining the cord in a coiled configuration, challenges are presented in maintaining the ends of the cords free from damage and entanglement with the coil. Quite frequently, the ends of a cord will become damaged in transport, handling or storage because the ends are not restrained from free movement resulting in the ends becoming damaged from colliding with objects. To prevent damage to the ends resulting from the ends being free of restraint is has become a common practice to interweave the ends of the cord through the loops of the coiled cord to restrain the movement of the ends. While this had been proven to be effective in minimizing damaged cord ends, the interweaving of the ends into the coil leads to entanglement of the coiled cord. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved cord organizer and method of using the same that can be used for aiding in the act of coiling a loose cord for maintaining a cord in a coiled configuration and free from entanglement, and for restraining free movement of the ends of the cord. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the cord organizer and method of using the same according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing for a cord organizer that facilitates easy coiling of a cord, maintains the cord in a coiled configuration and prevents damage to the ends of the cord. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cord organizer and method of using the same is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the cord organizer essentially includes a base having a first end and a second end. A strap having one end attached to the first end of the base with the second end of the strap free from permanent attachment. A slot is formed through the second end of the base and the second of the strap is adapted to be securely received by the slot. In use, a cord is looped around the base to create a coil, which is then secured from movement by passing the free end of the strap through the slot so that the strap engages the loops of the coil and restrains the loops from moving, thereby preventing entanglement. 
     In additional embodiments the base may be adjustable in length to accommodate a wide range of cord lengths, cord end clips may be provided, and a latch for releasably securing the second end of said strap in the slot may be provided. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the cord organizer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the cord organizer taken through the slotted end illustrating the engagement of the strap with the base. 
         FIG. 2   a  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a cord retaining clip. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the cord organizer taken through the base thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the cord coupling clip attached to the cord end adaptor. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the cord organizer in use. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the cord organizer of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the cord organizer of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1–3  a preferred embodiment of the cord organizer of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The cord organizer  10  includes a base  12  having a first L-shaped end  14  and an opposed second L-shaped end  16  with the long side of each end  14  and  16  being coplanar and the short side of each end extending from a common surface  15 . Preferably, the short sides of ends  14  and  16  extended perpendicularly from the base  12  to provide facing sidewalls  18  and  20  to prevent a cord coiled around the base from slipping off of the ends of the base. The base  12  can include a first base member  22  that defines the first L-shaped end  14  and a second base member  24  that defines the second L-shaped end  16 . The first base member  22  is telescopically received by the second base member  24  along the long sides of each L-shaped end  14  and  16 . The first base member  22  can be slid into and out of the second base member  24  to adjust the length of the base  12  to accommodate cords of various lengths. The first base member  22  can be in frictional engagement with the second base member  24 . Preferably, the base  12  includes a positive locking means, described in detail below, for releasably securing the first base member  22  to the second base member  24  so as to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the length of the base. 
     A flexible strap  26  is attached at a first end  28  to the end of the short side of the L-shaped end  14  and extends upwardly therefrom with the second end  30  of the strap free from permanent attachment and being is adapted to be securely received by a slot  32  formed longitudinally through the short side of the second L-shaped end  16  of the base  12 . 
     Turing to  FIG. 2 , which is a cross section taken through the second end  16  of the base  12 . The second end  30  of the strap  26  can be retained within the slot by frictional engagement with a latch  34 . Preferably, a plurality of female pawl elements  36  are formed into the strap  26  and a male pawl element  38  is formed into the latch  34 , which is received by an adjacent female pawl element to secure the second end  30  of the strap within the slot  32 . Most preferably, the latch  34  includes a lever  40 , which when pulled in a direction away from the strap will disengage the male pawl element  38  from the female pawl elements  36  so that the strap is free to be pulled out from the slot  32 . In addition, the latch  34  can be integrally formed with the base  12 . Even more preferably, the female pawl elements  36  are upwardly faced so that the second end  30  of the strap  26  is free to be passed through the slot  32  but is restricted from being pulled out from the slot by engagement of the male pawl element  38  with the female pawl elements. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , which is a cross section taken through the base to illustrate the positive locking means  42 . The positive locking means  42  is for releasably securing the first base member  22  to the second base member  24  so as to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the length of the base  12 . The positive locking means  42  does not require a user to manipulate a lever or any other interface to engage or disengage the means to allow the sliding of the first base member  22  relative to the second base member  24 . Rather is it designed so that when a predetermined force is applied to push the first base member  22  into the second base member  24  or to pull the first base member from the second base member the positive locking means automatically disengages and then subsequently reengages. 
     In one example, the positive locking means  42  can include a tab  44  integrally formed with the second base member  24  towards a distal end  46  thereof. A projection  48  extends from the interior surface of the tab  44 , which is received by one of a plurality of recesses  50  formed into the adjacent surface  52  of the first base member  22 . The tab  44  is resilient and deflects in a direction away from the surface  52  of the first base member  22  when a large enough push-pull force is applied to the first base member, thereby disengaging the projection  48  from one recess  50  and reengaging the projection in an adjacent recess. Preferably, the projection  48  is of a generally triangular shape and the recesses  50  are of a generally triangular cross-section. 
     Turning back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cord organizer  10  can also include a cord retaining clip  54  attached to the base  12  for securing the end of a cord to the base. A cord retaining clip  54  can be attached to either side of the base  12  or can be attached to only one side of the base. Preferably, the cord retaining clip  54  is integrally formed with the base  12  and is resilient. 
     A cord coupling clip  56  can also be provided for securing an end of a cord to the cord organizer  10 . Preferably, the cord coupling clip  56  is constructed from a resilient material and is removably attached to the cord organizer  10  at the base  12  by a swivel connector  58 . Ideally, the cord coupling clip  56  is used to secure the male connection end of a cord and the swivel connector  58  allows for the end to be easily positioned to be inserted into an electrical outlet without requiring the removal of the end from the cord coupling clip. Most preferably, a cord adaptor  60  is provided which is clamped to the end of the cord and the cord coupling clip  56  clips to the cord adaptor. The addition of the cord adaptor  60  prevents the cord coupling clip  56  from wearing the surface of the cord from repeated attachment and detachment. In addition, the cord adaptor  60  provides for a non-slip attachment of the cord coupling clip  56  to the end of a cord. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2   a  which illustrates an alternate embodiment of the cord retaining clip  54 . In this embodiment, the cord retaining clip  54  in pivotally attached at point  55  to the end  16  of the base  12  and includes a lever  57  to facilitate the opening of the clip. The cord retaining clip  54  is constructed from a resilient material having a high fatigue rating so that the clip can withstand repeated flexing without failure. In this embodiment, as like the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a cord coupling clip  56  could be secured to the cord end retaining clip  54  and can be used in conjunction with a cord adaptor  60  to secure an end of a cord to the side  16  of the cord organizer  10 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the cord adaptor  60  is generally cylindrical in shape and is of a two-piece construction. A longitudinal bore  62  is formed into the cord adaptor  60  for receiving a length of cord  64  therein, which is securely clamped between the two halves of the cord adaptor. Once the cord adaptor  60  is clamped to the length of cord it will not slide along the cord and provides for a non-slip attachment point for the cord coupling clip  56 . The cord adaptor  60  can also include raised edges  66  and  68  which act as restraint walls to preclude the cord coupling clip  56  from sliding off the ends of the cord adaptor  60 . Preferably, the exterior diameter  70  of the cord adaptor  60  is slightly greater then interior diameter  72  of the cord coupling clip  56  so as to provide a tight interfitment so that the cord coupling clip not prone to slipping off the cord adaptor. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , the cord organizer  10  is illustrated in use holding a coiled cord  74  with the loops  76  of the cord securely retained to the cord organizer between the base  12  and the strap  26 . One end  78  of the cord  74  is attached to the cord organizer  10  by a cord retaining clip  54  and the opposite end of  80  of the cord is attached to a cord coupling clip  56 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an alternate embodiment of the cord organizer  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, a handle  82  is attached at one end of the base  12  which can be used to either carry or hang the cord organizer  10 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , an alternate embodiment of the cord organizer  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, an extension cord  90  is provided with a cord adaptor  60 ′ integrally molded into a section of the cord. Preferably, the cord adaptor  60 ′ is integrally molded into the cord  90  towards an end  92  thereof. The cord adaptor  60 ′ includes two enlarged ends  66 ′ and  68 ′, and a longitudinal center section  94  which is of a diameter greater then the diameter of the cord  90 . In this embodiment, a cord coupling clip  56  (not shown) or a ring  96  can be secured around the longitudinal center section  94  to secure the cord  90  to the cord organizer  10 . The longitudinal section  94  prevents a cord coupling clip  56  or a ring  96  from damaging the cord  90 . 
     In use, it can now be understood that a loose cord is looped around the base  12  of the cord organizer  10  so that the cord is coiled around the base with sides of adjacent loops in abutment. The second end  30  of the strap is inserted into the slot  32  and pulled therethrough so that the strap engages the surface of each outward most loop, thereby securely retaining the loops of the coiled cord in place and securing the coiled cord to the cord organizer  10 . If the base  12  of the cord organizer is adjustable, after the strap  26  is secured by inserting the second end  30  thereof into the slot  32 , the base is adjusted so that the loops of the coiled cord are pressed together so that the surface of each outward most loop of the coiled cord abuts and presses into the strap and forms and acruate path  75  therewith. Once the cord is secured to the cord organizer  10 , the loops of the coil will not migrate and will mantain the coiled cord free from entanglement. In addition, the ends of the cord can be attached either to a cord end clip  54  or a cord adapter  60  can be secured to the end of a cord and then clipped to a cord coupling clip  56  so that the ends of the cords are restrained from movement. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the cord organizer and method of using the same has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.