Abstract:
A cord storage device and method of using is provided whereby the device has a collecting reel, a cord storage arbor associated with said collecting reel and configured with at least one locking leaf spring, and a cover removably attached to said collecting reel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Although there are many devices for organizing and managing electrical cords and cables, there are significant shortfalls in their configuration. These shortfalls provide for devices that have varying levels of functionality and efficiency. The present invention addresses the known deficiencies and provides and improved cord-holding device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Although the term “cord” is used herein, the present invention is contemplated as being used with electrical cords, electric wires, computer cables, and the like. 
         [0003]    The device is installed in the center of an existing appliance electrical cord. It is fed into the locking slot that is then locked into place. The device is then rotated pulling the appliance and receptacle ends towards each other, until they meet together at the device. 
         [0004]    The device is used to neatly store any existing electrical cord attached to a device or appliance (i.e. toaster, blender, curling iron, blow dryer). The device will easily install helping to neatly roll up and store the cords to stop clutter and possible cord damage. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the present invention is a cord storage device comprising: 
         [0000]    a collecting reel;
 
a cord storage arbor associated with said collecting reel and configured with at one least angular lead ramp; and
 
a cover removably attached to said collecting reel.
 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the collecting reel is constructed and arranged to receive a section of cord or when either or both terminal ends of said electrical cord or electrical wire are connected or otherwise engaged and thus inaccessible for winding. 
         [0007]    The device includes a cord entrance slot and a cord exit slot. As generally understood, the cord storage arbor includes a circumferral or peripheral planar surface for supporting a section of electrical cord wound thereabout. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the collecting reel includes at least one cord lead in ramp having an angular configuration relative to a planar base of said collecting reel. That is to say, the collecting reel has a base that forms a plane and relative to this plane is a ramp angularly configured upward from the base configured to angularly position a section of cord wound about said cord storage arbor as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0009]    The cord storage arbor includes a cord entrance groove constructed and arranged around a central axis of said collecting reel. 
         [0010]    Also contemplated is a method of storing a length of an electrical cord, said method comprising the steps of: 
         [0000]    providing a device according to any configuration of the present invention described herein;
 
positioning a portion of a cord through said cord entrance groove;
 
rotating said collecting reel, whereby said rotating results in the positioning of a length of cord about an outer planar circumferential surface of said cord storage arbor;
 
covering said collecting reel with said cover.
 
         [0011]    The method positioning includes placement of a cord on a cord lead in starting ramp configured to impart an angular configuration on said cord when wound around said cord storage arbor. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the method is further comprising the step of positioning said cord through an entrance and an exit configured in the cover. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the positioned cord has a first end and a second end each engaged and inaccessible for winding. For example, an appliance electric cord is connected on one end to the appliance and on a second end into an electrical outlet. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the positioned cord has a first end and a second end where at least on of said ends is engaged and inaccessible for winding. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side separated a view with the cover removed of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the cover of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the cover of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the collecting wheel and spring of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the collecting wheel and spring of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side partial cross section along sections lines A-A from  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    The present invention is a device configured for accommodating excess lengths of wire typically electrical cords and or computer transmission cables. 
         [0023]    Cord storage device assembly  10  is configured to interact with a cord  12  and provide storage for excess cord line length. Locking cover  16  is positioned over a collecting reel  14  having a cord storage arbor  28  associated with therewith. Cord storage arbor  28  is configured with a leaf spring pocket  26 , in one embodiment, a locking leaf spring  18  and a court entrance  22  that leads to a cord lead in ramp  24 . Cord storage device assembly  10  includes a cord entrance slot  30  a cord exit slot  32 . Although a spring is demonstrated for one embodiment, e.g. in  FIGS. 5-7  and the present invention also includes an embodiment without spring  18  in which the configuration of arbor  28  secured a cord in position. 
         [0024]    Locking cover  16  is provided with a securing mechanism constructed on arranged to secure locking cover  16  into position over collecting reel  14 . Although the figure demonstrates a cotter pin locking configuration utilizing cotter pin  20 , the present invention contemplates any acceptable removable attachment configuration providing a removably detachable arrangement of locking cover  16  onto collecting reel  14 . 
         [0025]    In use, a user will remove locking cover  16  thus exposing each of the components associated with collecting reel  14 . A user will then feed the desired cord through cord entrance groove  22  leading to cord lead in ramp  24 . The configuration of ramp  24  with angular lead in from groove  22  into cord storage arbor  28  provides a secure configuration for holding the cord in place without need of additional locking elements. In one embodiment, cord lead lamp  24  has an angle of elevation relative to the horizontal plane of collecting reel  14  of about 1-15 degrees, with a preferred angle of about 2-10 degrees. 
         [0026]    The user will then rotate collecting reel  14  resulting in positioning of cord  12  about the outer surface perimeter of cord storage arbor  28 . Rotation of reel  14  will continue until a desired length of cord  12  is coiled and positioned about the circumference of cord storage arbor  28 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 5 , court storage arbor  28  has associated therewith a locking leaf spring  18  and leaf is urged by tension against core  12  positioned in cord lead in starting ramp  24 . Arbor  28  is configured with an entrance curve, central curve offset from the geometric center of the device, and an exit curve, whereby each to the entrance and exit are substantially on opposing circumferential positions about the circumference of arbor  28 , as best seen in  FIGS. 5-7 . Although the channel is not through the geometric center of arbor  28 , it is contemplated the structure of arbor  28  be centrally positioned in the device. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention includes an arbor positioned in a geometric center and an off center dual curved channel passing through the arbor. 
         [0028]    Once the desired length has been positioned, a user will replace locking cover  16  onto collecting reel  14  and secure locking cover  16  into a fixed position. The configuration will then be as presented in  FIG. 1  whereby a portion of the cord is accessible from outside of device  10  and a portion of cord  12  is coiled underneath locking cover  16 . 
         [0029]    The overall cord storage device  10  is configured such that if either or both ends of cord  12  are engaged one need not just engage either or both ends in order to utilize the cord storage capabilities of the present invention. Each engaged and of record  12  is permitted to remain in place and the excess length of cord  12  is positioned as described herein, wound around cord storage arbor  28  closed with in locking cover  16  and ultimately resulting in a significant reduction in visible and accessible cord length. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.