Abstract:
A cord management device comprising a coiled spring member and at least one cord attachment member for securing a cord to be coupled to said spring member is disclosed. Spring members are fitted with ties which grasp the cord making the spring members and cord act simultaneously. When the inventive spring member is attached to a cord, it has the ability to stretch if desired and compress to create an organized configuration when not in use. The inventive device may be incorporated into an appliance or other device permanently, as well as being an attachment retrofitted onto an existing cord flexible or tubular conduit to provide an electrical conductor connection to another device or system, thus making it easy to manage a cord.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a device for managing cords or flexible tubular conduits, such as cords on appliances, information bearing cords such as cords on computer keyboards, computer mouse devices, and cords in the workplace environment such as an office, hospital, factory or warehouse. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Today, numerous appliances and peripheral devices require an electrical conductor connection, optical connection, gas or liquid supply to another device or system. These include cords for appliances which are powered by, for example, ordinary house current, battery packs or the like. 
         [0003]    In addition, there are numerous cords commonly encountered in everyday life, such as cords which are used to connect computer peripheral devices, such as disk drives, keyboards, earphones, headphones, and so forth to computers. Still another class of cords carry other informational or power content. For example, cords comprising hollow flexible tubes convey air pressure to pneumatically powered tools or liquids to supply a fabrication process. Another example comprises cords which carry optical information, typically being made of fiber-optic bundles. For example, such devices may be used to convey image information from one point to another. 
         [0004]    Fiber-optic bundles may also be used to carry illumination. For example, some light sources comprise a main housing comprising a lamp and a fiber-optic bundle used to output light onto a work piece. Yet another application involves the collection of sunlight, for example on the roof of a building, and sending that luminous energy to a room in the building where it may be used to illuminate an object. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention, a device is provided for managing a power cord, or linear tubular conduit, for example, a cord carrying any of the above energy or information or other inputs or outputs. It is contemplated that the inventive device will be sold in different lengths, and that the consumer will be able to trim a device to a desired length and/or select the desired length needed to match a particular cord which the consumer wishes to manage. 
         [0006]    A cord management device comprising a coiled spring member and at least one cord attachment member for securing a cord to be coupled to said spring member is disclosed. In one embodiment spring members are fitted with adhesive for Velcro™-type hook and loop fasteners or other ties of any configuration which grasp the cord making the spring members and cord act simultaneously. When the inventive spring member is attached to a cord, it has the ability to stretch if desired and compress to create an organized configuration when not in use. The inventive device may be incorporated into an appliance or other device permanently, as well as being an attachment retrofitted onto an existing cord in, for example, an appliance to provide an electrical conductor connection to another device or system, thus making it easy to manage a cord. The device can also be detached from the power cord should it no longer be desired or if it has worn out or otherwise lost functionality. Advantageously, it may be detached without damaging the cord or conduit to which it had been connected. 
         [0007]    The inventive cord management device is in one embodiment made of a coiled helical spring which may be attached to, for example, an appliance by any means such as adhesive, a hinge, a ball and socket, and so forth. The helical coil is attached to the cord by a plurality of attachment members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating a general implementation of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method as implemented according to the present invention in a cord management system; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the cord grasping ties which are generally rectangular or curved in shape and are provided with hooks on one end and loops at the other, and exhibit a preferred, but not required, low profile, and are secure and have double attachment system design; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tying function of the loop and hook bearing ends; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a suitable spring member useful in implementing the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top view illustrating a suitable spring member useful in implementing the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an outstretched view illustrating the configuration of a stretched spring member equipped with a cord; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side view illustrating the compressed position of the cord when the cord is not in use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a top view illustrating the compressed position of the cord when the cord is not in use; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates the inventive device installed on the back of an appliance; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates how the inventive device is secured and held in place by two adhesive patches, on the back of an appliance; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is an outstretched view illustrating the form of a permanently installed spring member on an extension cord; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a top view illustrating the form of a permanently installed spring member on an extension cord; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a side view illustrating the form of a permanently installed spring member on an extension cord; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the extension cord with extruded lips for engaging a spring member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is an outstretched view illustrating a USB cord having a pair of USB connectors; 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a side view illustrating the inventive device suspended from a ceiling; 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is an outstretched view illustrating the inventive device suspended from a ceiling; 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is an outstretched view illustrating the inventive device used in conjunction with a computer headset; 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  illustrates an outstretched view of a preferred embodiment of a cord organizer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tape member comprising a planar tape; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 24-26  are cross-sectional views illustrating the inventive cord organizer secured on an appliance by spring member securement and a cord securement; 
           [0031]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an adhesive cord securement during use; 
           [0032]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative inventive embodiment with a cord inside a silicon rubber grooved cord organizer; 
           [0033]      FIG. 28  is a top view of the inventive organizer with an adhesive “foot” for attachment to a computer; 
           [0034]      FIG. 29  is a view of the silicone rubber covering and wire fully enveloping the electrical cord with the path of an inner metal wire coil indicated in phantom lines; 
           [0035]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional, outer view of the silicone rubber covering enveloping the electrical cord and wire coil. 
           [0036]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive cord organizer; 
           [0037]      FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view along lines  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 33  is a side view illustrating an enlarged view of a coiled cord inside the coil housing. 
           [0039]      FIG. 34  is a side view illustrating an enlarged view of a coiled cord inside the coil housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inventive cord manager  10  is illustrated. Cord manager  10  comprises a spring member  12 . Spring member  12  may be made of a suitable material, such as spring metal or plastic?. However, metal has the advantage of being rugged and thus having a longer life expectancy. Spring member  12 , may come in a wide variety of dimensions, however, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it as a thickness  14  on the order of the same or less than the power cord or conduit, but could also be thicker if so desired. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, spring member  12  may be on the order of three inches in diameter. 
         [0041]    Spring member  12  is fitted with a number of cord grasping ties  18 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , cord grasping ties  18  are generally rectangular in shape. Ties  18  are provided with hooks  20  at one end and loops  22  at the other end. Hooks  20  are adapted to mate with loops  22  in order to secure opposite ends of ties  18  to each other. In accordance with the invention, ties  18  may be spaced at about 3 inches with respect to each other along substantially the entire length of spring member  12 . Of course, larger intervals of spacing between ties  18  are possible as are smaller ones, with larger intervals being more practical for larger diameters of spring member  12 . Ties  18  are also provided with a patch of adhesive  24 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the tying function of ties  18  is most clearly illustrated. Generally, ties  18  are adhered to spring member  12  by adhesive  24 . Loop bearing end  26  extends around, for example, a power cord  28  exposing its loops  22 . Hook bearing end  30  extends over end  26  with its hooks  20  facing loops  22 . Because hooks  20  are pressed into engagement with loops  22 , ends  26  and  30  adhere to each other and firmly grasp cord  28 , thus holding it to spring member  12 , and causing the spring member  12  and cord  28  to act as a single spring member. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a suitable spring member  12  useful in implementing the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. Such a spring member  12  may be stretched out as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . When such a spring member is equipped with a power cord, and then stretched out, the power cord  28  takes the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 9  in phantom lines. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , attachment of the power cord  28  to spring member  12  result in slight expansion of spring  12 . Thus, when a cord is not in use, it is organized and occupies a minimal volume. The strength of spring  12  may be varied to be so strong that it can carry the weight of, for example, power cord  28  and pull it into a compressed condition. Alternatively, spring  12  may be of relatively weak strength and merely respond to maintain the cord in an organized configuration with a degree of compression and in a configuration into which it is put by the user. Such a weak spring may be commensurate with the force exerted by a spring having a spring constant similar to that of a commercial toy product known as a “Slinky” (trademark). 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the inventive extension cord management device  110  may be installed on the back of an appliance  132  to manage the power cord  128  with which the appliance was sold. The inventive device  110  may be held in position by a first adhesive patch  134  which secures the power cord  128  in a flat position while at the same time securing the bottom of the inventive device  110 . A second adhesive member  136  secures the opposite end of the base of the inventive device  110 , as illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 13 . The appliance cord  128  is managed by a spring member  112 . When a user grasps the plug  138  and pulls out cord  128 , the same is maintained and close relationship to spring member  112 . When the user releases his grip on plug  138 , spring member  112  pulls the cord into the compressed position illustrated in  FIG. 12  and, as can be seen from  FIG. 10 , it maintains an orderly configuration. On the other hand, if plug  138  has been secured in a wall socket in order to provide power to appliance  132 , the cord will stay in the outstretched position illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0046]    The inventive device may take the form of a permanently installed spring member  212  on an extension cord  214 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-16 . In this case, ties  18  may be replaced by a layer of glue  218 . Extension cord  214  includes a plug  240  and a socket  242 . 
         [0047]    Alternatively, an extension cord  314  may be extruded with lips  344  and  346  for engaging a spring member  312 , as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0048]    In principle, the inventive system may be installed under a desktop. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , a USB cord  414 , having a pair of USB connectors  415  and  417  may be secured by adhesive member  419  under a desktop  421  or screws. Connector  415  may be coupled to a computer sitting on the desktop. Connector  417  may be coupled, for example, to a handheld communicating device. 
         [0049]    It is also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that the inventive device may be suspended from ceilings, such as ceiling  511  illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . In this embodiment, an extension cord  514  incorporating a spring member  512  is secured by any suitable fastener  512  to a support plate  523  associated with an electrical socket, which in turn is secured to the ceiling, or more customarily, to the metal box containing the electrical socket, by screws  525 . This extension cord also includes a plug  540  and socket  542 . Plug  540  goes into the electrical socket, as illustrated, and socket  542  is available to be connected to a tool, appliance or other device. 
         [0050]    It is also contemplated that the present invention may be used to implement and easily manage the cord to be used with a computer mouse. Because of the relatively large diameter of the inventive cord manager, it is practical to use the same in many applications not suitable for conventional coiled cords, such as those used on telephone headsets. More critically, in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that cord diameters may be in excess of 5 cm, and as large as 25 cm or larger. 
         [0051]    The inventive device will also work well with a computer keyboard. 
         [0052]    Likewise, in accordance with the present invention, the stiff nature of the spring member helps to manage the cord. In accordance with the present invention, coil diameters which result in a coil length, in the compressed state, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 10 , which is of the same order of magnitude as the diameter of the coil, are particularly valuable as the same are relatively compact. For example, if the diameter of the coil equals the height of the coil the use of space is minimized. However, if the height of the coiled managed cord is about one third of the diameter of the coiled cord, the same is a neat package which allows good management while minimizing space consumed. This is in contrast to a conventional telephone cord which may be 50 times longer than the diameter of the coil which forms the cord. In accordance with the invention, ratios of coil length to coil diameter in the range between 3:1 and 1:6 are particularly advantageous. Ratios in the range between numeral 1:1 and 1:5 are particularly preferred. More especially preferred ratios for aesthetic reasons range between 5:1 to 1:2. 
         [0053]    In accordance with the invention, it is anticipated that the various tools used at a construction site, such as drills, power saws, power screwdrivers and the like may be outfitted with the inventive cord manager. Thus, an individual working at the site, who may be simultaneously using several tools, such as a power drill, power screwdriver and saw can conveniently and without the cords interfering with each other, switch from one tool to another to efficiently complete a task. 
         [0054]    In the same manner as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20  with respect to a ceiling outlet, the inventive device may be applied to a wall outlet. 
         [0055]    Likewise, the inventive system may be used in conjunction with a telephone or other similar device. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 21 , the inventive system may be used in conjunction with a computer headset  650  which includes a pair of earphones  652  and a microphone  654  and a loose section of cord  656  is coupled to the end  658  of a spring member by a tie  618  which secures cord  656  to a spring member. The end of the cord opposite computer headset  650  is coupled to a USB connector  660 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , a particularly preferred embodiment of a cord organizer  710  is illustrated. Cord organizer  710  comprises a spring member  712  which may be made of plastic and which has a spring constant and mass similar to that of a plastic Slinky (trademark) toy. A plurality of tape members  718  are positioned along the length of spring member  712 . 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , tape member  718  comprises a planar tape  719  made of any suitable flexible tape material and is provided with a layer of adhesive  721 . Layer of adhesive  721  is protected by a release member comprising a paper backing  723  and a layer of release material  725 . Each release member  727  protects a respective one of the ends of tape member  718 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIGS. 24-26 , an appliance  732  may be fitted with the inventive cord organizer  710  through the use of a spring member securement  733  and a cord securement  735 . Cord securement  735  comprises a hook carrying fabric coupling member  737  secured to the back of appliance  732  by adhesive layer  739 . The cord  728  is laid over the face of hook varying member  737  and held in place by a patch of material  741  pairing loop coupling members  743 , as illustrated in  FIG. 22  and as illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0060]    With reference to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , end  745  of spring member  712  is secured in a similar fashion. More particularly, a hook bearing patch  747  secured to the back of appliance  732  by an adhesive layer  749  underlies end  745  of spring member  712 . End  745  of spring member  712  is secured between a pair of fabric members. The first fabric member is a loop bearing patch  751 . Patch  751  includes an adhesive layer  753 . Adhesive layer  753  faces at another adhesive layer  755  which underlies a fabric member  757 . End  745  of spring member  720  is locked into position bearing against the back of appliance  732  by placing end  745  over the middle of patch  747  and engaging the loops on patch  751  with the hooks on patch  747 . 
         [0061]    The above structure allows cord  728  and spring member  712  to be attached, detached and reattached many times by the use of the hook and loop connectors. 
         [0062]    When it is desired to use the inventive system, hook carrying fabric coupling member  737  is put in place on the housing of appliance  732  in a position in which it will underlie loop bearing patch  741 . Cord  728  is then laid over the hook varying surface of fabric coupling member  737 , preferably in the middle of said service, and patch  741  is placed over cord  720  to lock cord  728  into position. The result is that cord  728  assumes a direction substantially parallel to the rear surface of appliance  732 , feeding it in a direction toward the base of spring member  712  which is secured to the back of appliance  732 . 
         [0063]    One then secures the end  745  of spring member  720  which is locked into position bearing against the back of appliance  732  by placing end  745  over the middle of patch  747  and engaging the loops on patch  751  with the hooks on patch  747 . 
         [0064]    Next, adhesive protective release member  727  are removed from each tape member  718  and secured around cord  728 , in sequence, as the cord is wrapped against spring member  712 . Each time an adhesive protective release member  727  is removed, it is wrapped around cord  728 , as illustrated in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0065]    Yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in cross-section  FIG. 27 . In this embodiment, the inventive cord organizer  810  takes the form of a plastic, for example silicone rubber, covering  811 . The same may be made in various colors, with glitter, or the like. Silicon rubber covering  811  is equipped with an internal groove  814  formed by a pair of lips  815 . Groove  814  serves to house and support, for example, an electrical cord  812 . Together the silicone rubber covering  811 , internal groove  814  and wire coil  820  shape and envelope electrical cord  812  such that it is retained in the cord organizer  810 . 
         [0066]    In accordance with the invention, an adhesive foot  816  may be positioned at an end of the silicone rubber covering  811  which serves to attach the cord to for example a computer or device.  FIG. 28  illustrates adhesive foot  816  on one end of the silicone rubber covering  811 . At the other end, a computer mouse  824  or other computer input device is attached to cord organizer  810 . 
         [0067]    While enveloped in the silicone rubber covering  810 , the electrical cord  812  is maintained in a desired organized configuration. While this can be achieved by making the covering  811  of a suitable springy material, the possibility also exist to incorporate a springy member  820  which follows a path  818 , as illustrated in  FIG. 29 . Springy member  820  thus forms an inner metal wire coil  820 . Inner metal wire coil  820  can be made of various types of metal, as well as plastic, for example a plastic significantly stiffer than the rubbery material of which covering  811  is made, etc., and forms the shape and structure of the device as illustrated by  FIG. 29 . 
         [0068]    As illustrated in  FIG. 30 , instead of being positioned on the inside of the coil formed by the cord organizer, a cord organizer  910  may have its lips  915  positioned on the outside of the coil to provide for the grasping of electrical cord  912 . 
         [0069]    Still yet another alternative for the placement of the groove in a cord similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 27-29  is illustrated in  FIGS. 31 and 32 . In this embodiment, the groove  1014  is not either on the inside or the outside of the helical coil formed by the inventive cord organizer  1010 , but in between. If this embodiment, lips  1015  are hidden within the coil, thus giving a pleasant aesthetic appearance. At the same time, placement of electrical cord  1012  is facilitated by pressing the same into groove  1014  in between the thumb and index finger without undue interference from adjacent coils of the cord organizer which need only be minimally displaced during installation of the electrical cord into the cord organizer. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 33 and 34 , coil housing  1122 , is an additional component which consists of, for example, a cylindrical shape housing which holds the electrical cord  1112  in place when not extended. The opening  1113  of the coil housing  1122  is desirably slightly larger than the diameter of the organizer coil  1110  when it compresses electrical cord  1120  into a coiled position, as illustrated in  FIG. 34 . The function of housing  1122  is to assist in keeping electrical cord  1120  coiled while maintaining aesthetic appearance. The same is achieved by providing a measure of vertical support. The coil housing  1122  is optionally adhered to an appliance  1126 . The electrical cord  1120  with the cord organizer  1110  can be positioned inside the coil housing  1122  as shown in  FIG. 34  or outside the coil housing  1122  as illustrated in  FIG. 33 .  FIGS. 33 and 34  illustrate an expanded configuration of the electrical cord  1120  while extended from the coil housing  1122  and while coiled inside the coil housing  1122 , respectively.