Abstract:
Taught herein is a manifold ( 10 ) for housing and outlet ( 24 ) and related conduit ( 19 ). The manifold ( 10 ) provides a means for gathering, storing and protecting excess conduit associated with the outlet and the conduit connected to the outlet ( 16 ). The manifold includes conduit apertures ( 15 ) to allow conduit to ingress and egress the manifold. The manifold may also include ventilation apertures ( 18 ) to allow airflow. The manifold may ( 10 ) be a clam-shell style housing, with hingedly attached top and bottom portions ( 12, 14 ). Additionally, the manifold may be made of a fire-resistant material and may include a locking device ( 22 ) to secure the manifold in a closed condition. The present invention also teaches the method of gathering, storing and protecting an outlet and related excess conduit within a ventilated manifold.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a conduit manager, and, more particularly, to a receiving manifold with a conduit manager that gathers, stores and protects the conduit while providing a protective cover over the connection points at the manifold, such as the electrical cords, plugs and structure associated with a power supply strip.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many different environments call for conduit being directed to and collected at a manifold. Conduit such as electrical cords, medical tubing, plumbing, pneumatics and the like are routed to and from the necessary devices, and often converge at junctures and terminals. A common problem of clustering such cords or hoses includes safety hazards and user frustration.  
         [0003]     For example, it is all too common that a power supply at a home office is simply a mass of cords plugged into a power strip, including those having two-prong plugs, grounded plugs, transformers and the like. The cords from a computer, printer, lamp, telephone, fax machine, and other appliances or devices may converge at one power strip or surge protector. The mass of cords pose issues of frustration and safety to users, and hazards to the area and the devices.  
         [0004]     Various attempts to solve these problems exist in the art. For example there exists a power strip cover, for encasing a power strip, that provides a center slot though which individual cords can exit. The problem sought to be solved there appears to be limited to preventing a small child from accessing electrical plugs and outlets. Another aspect of that apparatus appears to be aligning the egress of the cords with the center slot. However that apparatus does not organize or store the excess conduit.  
         [0005]     One attempt to provide a cord manager discloses a method and kit for securing cord connections to an electronic device by setting an electronic device on a flexible pad and securing the connecting cords to the pad. In this manner, the cords are organized and secured. Another attempt to organize and secure cords includes a fabric pack comprising attached pockets with closures, through which outlets or apertures used in running a computer may be placed. However these flexible packs do not provide a supply or surge protector nor do they provide a sturdy device suitable for vigorous use.  
         [0006]     Therefore, no known solution teaches one structure for gathering, organizing, and storing a plurality of conduits and a power strip or surge protector in a housing providing a protective cover that allow for vigorous use. Thus, a need exists in the field of conduit management to address these deficiencies and inadequacies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies and inadequacies of the prior art by providing a manifold to gather, store, and protect conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention affords the user a manifold or housing, which receives a power strip and includes a means for gathering and storing the related electrical cords. The manifold may be constructed of a fire-resistant material, such as a rigid, molded plastic, for safety.  
         [0008]     The means for gathering and storing include a plurality of posts upon which cords may be wrapped and stored. The manifold may also include at least one conduit aperture through which the related electrical cords may ingress and egress the manifold. A bottom portion of the manifold may be separably attached to at least one top portion with a hinge device. The hinge device may be any hinge system, including but not limited to a live hinge, weakened line or the like. The top and bottom portions may be secured with a locking device for additional safety.  
         [0009]     Another embodiment of the invention provides at least one ventilation aperture in the manifold to allow airflow. Some electrical devices have transformers that require ventilation so as to not overheat. In addition, the manifold may have feet or bumpers to both allow the manifold to stand on one end and to provide a non-skid bottom surface. The combination of a housing with a non-skid bottom surface may allow the user to set items, such as a garbage can or house plant atop the closed manifold so as to make better use of the floor space.  
         [0010]     Other embodiments of the invention teach systems and methods for gathering, storing and protecting conduits. For example, a system and method of storing a power strip—with or without a surge protector—and all related electrical cords includes placing the power strip within a manifold, wrapping all of the electrical cords within the manifold interior, and securing the manifold in a closed condition.  
         [0011]     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present inventions, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a manifold interior.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a manifold interior with a power strip or surge protector.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a closed manifold. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.  
         [0016]     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a conduit-receiving manifold according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0017]     It is to be understood that the term “conduit” used herein, including in the claims, includes all manner of cords, cables, lines, wires, hoses, filaments, pipes, tubes, ribbons, tape and the like, whether flexible or rigid, associated in any way with supplying or receiving electrical, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and the like subject matter. In addition, the term “manifold” used herein, including in the claims, is used in the broadest sense to include any chamber or device that includes an outlet for connecting to the conduit for supplying or receiving the subject matter. Here the manifold is illustrated as essentially a clam-shell shaped housing. However the exterior shape and appearance is merely a design choice. Here the term “outlet” includes any connector(s) for attaching to conduit associate with electrical, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and the like subject matter. For the purpose of teaching the invention with the following exemplary embodiments, the portion of the manifold that receives an outlet that is power strip or surge protector is labeled as the bottom, and the adjoining portion is labeled the top.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an open manifold  10 , showing the interiors of both the top portion  12 , or cover, and the bottom portion  14  of the manifold  10 . The illustrated portions  12  and  14  may be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, wood, fabric, metal, fire-resistant materials and the like. In this exemplary embodiment, manifold portions  12  and  14  are constructed from a molded plastic.  
         [0019]     A hinge device  17  connects the two portions  12  and  14 . In this exemplary embodiment, hinge device  17  is a rod or pin that connects the two manifold portions  12  and  14  in a foldable manner. In alternative embodiments, the hinge device  17  may include any hinge system, live hinge, weakened line, fold line or the like. The two portions  12  and  14  close together, in an essentially clam-shell manner, along the hinge device  17 . Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.  
         [0020]     A plurality of optional ventilation apertures  18  are shown, which allow air to flow in and out of the manifold  10 . Ventilation apertures allow airflow to transfer heat out of the manifold. For example, some items plugged in to a power strip may include a power transformer unit that emits heat. Such units may require ventilation so as to not overheat and fail to function. In this exemplary embodiment, the ventilation apertures may be in the top portion  12  of the manifold. However, in alternative embodiments, a single or multiple ventilation aperture(s) may be in any wall or panel of portions  12 ,  14 .  
         [0021]     Four cut-outs  15   a - 15   d , as will be shown more clearly with reference to  FIG. 3 , align to form apertures when manifold  10  is in a closed condition. In this exemplary embodiment, a cut-out may be any notch or removed section of manifold  10 . Cut-outs  15   a - 15   d  allow conduit to pass in and out of the manifold  10 . For example, when manifold  10  is closed along hinge device  17 , conduit cut-out  15   a  aligns with cut-out  15   d  to leave an aperture through which conduit may exit and enter the manifold  10 . In the same manner, cut-out  15   c  aligns with cut-out  15   b . In this exemplary embodiment, both the cords of a power strip power supply and the cords of devices plugged into the power strip may pass through the conduit apertures on either side of the manifold  10 .  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , bottom portion  14  receives a power strip  24 . The power strip  24  may be any power outlet device, including but not limited to multiple outlet devices, power distribution units, surge protectors and the like. The power strip  24  may be attached or removably attached to bottom portion  14  by a means for attaching  25  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ), including but not limited to concavities, clips, straps, ties, snaps, Velcro®, adhesives, welding, monolithic molding, combinations thereof, and the like.  
         [0023]     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the present invention also provides a means for gathering and storing conduit so that it is removably attached to the interior of the manifold  20 . For example, and not by way of limitation, said means for gathering and storing may include concavities, posts, clips, straps, ties, snaps, Velcro®, parts thereof, combinations thereof, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2  the bottom portion  14  includes four posts  16   a - 16   d  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ), being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom portion  14 , upon which conduit may be gathered and stored. Here, multiple power cords  19  may be wrapped around posts  16   a  and  16   b.    
         [0024]     Optional means for securing the manifold in a closed condition, such as locking devices  22   a  and  22   b , may be attached to the manifold  20 . In this exemplary embodiment, locking devices  22   a  and  22   b  are attached to the bottom portion  14  of manifold  20  and may be received by cut-outs  26   a  and  26   b  of the top portion  12 , respectively. Here locking device  22   a  is a clip that fits snugly but removably onto the molded shape of cut-out  26   a . Locking device(s)  22   a  and  22   b  may be any clip, clasp, snap, lock, strap or the like, that will removably attach, or secure, top portion  12  to bottom portion  14 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a closed manifold  30 . Cut-outs  15   a  and  15   d  align to form a conduit aperture. Exterior top panel (not shown) may be a substantially planar surface suitable for placing on the floor or other horizontal surface. Similarly, the exterior bottom panel  32  may be available as a substantially flat surface for the placement of a decorative or a useful article.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment wherein the ventilation apertures  34  are on the sides of manifold  30 , allowing manifold  30  to be placed horizontally upon an exterior panel without blocking airflow. This configuration provides a water-resistant manifold. Manifold  30  may also include at least one means for skid-resistance, shown as a bumper or foot  36  in this exemplary embodiment, to allow manifold  30  to stand up on one end. Foot  36  may be any means for skid-resistance, such as any foot or bumper constructed from a suitable material including but not limited to rubber, plastic, wood, metal, and the like. In this exemplary embodiment, foot  36  is constructed of rubber or similar high-friction material.  
         [0027]     Various illustrated embodiments of the present invention provide to the user exemplary systems for storing and protecting a power strip within a manifold. The system may include a means for gathering and storing both the cord of the power strip and the cords of the items plugged into the power strip. The user may open the manifold and removably attach a power strip, as described above. The user may run the power cord of the power strip through the conduit apertures of the manifold. The user may plug items into the power strip. The user may utilize the means for gathering and storing the cords within the manifold, as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The necessary lengths of all cords may egress from the manifold through conduit apertures. Thus, these exemplary embodiments of the invention provide to the user an effective system for storing and protecting a power strip and all related conduit.  
         [0028]     The present invention has been illustrated in relation to embodiments that are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “interior”, “exterior”, “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective panels of the manifold to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these structural characteristics from one another.