Abstract:
A cord management device includes a first end ( 13 ); a second end ( 13 ); and an intermediate portion ( 12 ) between the first ( 13 ) and the second ( 13 ) ends. The first ( 13 ) and the second ( 13 ) ends include mating details for engaging with a socket device ( 5 ) and forming a closed loop ( 14 ) between the intermediate portion ( 12 ) and the socket device ( 5 ).

Description:
This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 365 of International Application PCT/US2005/007490, filed Mar. 8, 2005, which was published in accordance with PCT Article 21(2) on Apr. 20, 2006 in English and which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/616,994, filed Oct. 8, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to power outlet devices, and more particularly to a device for managing multiple power cords plugged to a multiplying outlet device. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Cord management features can be found on many surge suppressors or other molded socket multiplying devices on the market today. Some of these cord management implementations are integral or formed as part of the outlet multiplying device case itself. In other examples, a separate article that works in conjunction with a surge suppressor or socket multiplying device performs the cord or cable management. Molded or formed as part of the device solutions have the advantage that they are more cost effective since they are already a part of the case of a socket multiplying device. The disadvantage is that they require the product to be longer or larger to accommodate this feature, which can make the size of the overall socket multiplying device with cord management impractical. 
   The units that use a separate article for cord management overcome this impractical size shortcoming by folding or telescoping back into the unit they attach to and occupy less space than the molded in variations. In either configuration, such solutions require feeding cords into the management device one at a time. Feeding cords one at a time can be an arduous process that makes managing the cords unpleasant enough that the user may not even wish to use this feature. Feeding one cord at a time is a solution that operates basically on an open cavity principal that has the potential to release cords from its grasp. From a manufacturing point of view, it is not possible to remove an integral or molded in cord management feature if it needs to be eliminated for some socket multiplying device models. If a surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device is designed with cord/cable management it will always have it. This reduces the product&#39;s flexibility for both the manufacturer and the user. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a removable cord management device that is of a practical size and can accommodate managing multiple cords simultaneously. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The inventive cord management device works with the design configuration of a surge suppressor or socket multiplying device to manage the arrangement of cords that are plugged into that surge suppressor or socket multiplying device. 
   A cord management device includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The first and second ends include mating details for engaging with a socket device and forming a closed loop  14  between the intermediate portion and the socket device. 
   A method for cord management includes attaching a first end of a cord management device to a first mating detail of a socket device, attaching a second end of the cord management device to a second mating detail of the socket device, and forming a closed loop bounded by a portion of the cord management device and the socket device when the first and second ends of the cord management device are attached to the first and second mating details of the socket device. 
   A cord management system includes a socket device having first and second mating details and a cord management device. The cord management device includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion forming a closed loop between the cord management device and the socket device when the first and second ends are cooperatively engaged with the first and second mating details of the socket device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a combination of views showing details of an inventive cord management device, and 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cord management device of  FIG. 1  secured to a socket multiplying device, 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inventive cord management device to be secured to a socket multiplying device. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the inventive cord management device being initially fastened to the socket multiplying device with multiple cords attached, and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the inventive cord management device fastened to a socket multiplying device to arrange multiple cords. 
   

   To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The inventive cord management device redirects and groups cords or cables that are plugged into a surge suppressor or other socket-multiplying device to unify their direction and eliminate clutter and confusion. Unifying the direction of the cords or cables is done in a manner that is easy and intuitive and in a way that will not accidentally release cords or cables. The inventive cord management device also compacts the overall space that would normally be occupied by known cord management devices. The cord management device can be removed at any time without need to unplug the cords or consequence to the design of the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device 
   Referring now to a combination of orthogonal views  10  in  FIG. 1 , and perspective views  20  and  30  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, an inventive cord management device  11  is shown unsecured and secured to a socket multiplying device  5 . The cord management device includes attachment or mating ends  13  for securing to a socket multiplying device  5  in a sliding manner and a top part  12  forming a closed loop when the cord management device  11  is secured to a socket multiplying device. Preferably, the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5  has two parallel sides that preferably run along the length of the device seen from view direction  17 . These sides also preferably contain a symmetrical detail such as a rib  21 , a number of ribs, or any other feature that allows the cord management device  11  to attach to the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5 . This rib  21  allows the cord management device  11  to slide along these ribs or other details along the length of the socket multiplying device as shown by direction  17  in  FIG. 1 . The rib  21  is preferably also part of the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device&#39;s design without the cord management device  11  attached. In other words, if the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device is without the cord management device it can still appear to be a complete product. A single rib  21  is shown in the Figures as it allows for easy mold ability and aesthetic integration. 
   Preferably, the cord management device  11  is detachable and has a mating detail  13  that cooperates with the rib detail  21  of the socket multiplying device  5 . As shown in  FIG. 3 . the mating detail  13  can be configured as a hook surface. This mating of details  13 ,  21  can allow the allow the cord management device  11  to be slide along the length of the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5  using the top surface of the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5  to form a closed loop  14 . The mating details  13 ,  21  can also allow for the cord management device to be snapped on or off at any point along the length of the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device  5  as shown by directional view  18 . The inventive cord management device  11  functions with a cooperating socket multiplying device  5  to provide a cord management system operable in a sliding manner or a “snap on, snap off” manner. 
   Use of the inventive cord management device in a sliding manner near one end of the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device  5 , as shown by perspective views  30 ,  40  and  50  in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , respectively. Cord plugs from desired peripherals are inserted into the open sockets of the socket multiplying device in a typical manner. Once cord plugs are inserted, the attachment ends  13  of the cord management device  11  are engaged with the rib detail  21  of the socket multiplying device  5 . The cord management device  11  is moved in a sliding manner down the length of the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device  5  to combine the cord lengths  41  in one unified direction as shown in  FIG. 5 . The cord lengths  41  are now managed into one direction eliminating cord sprawl and clutter. For individual cord  41  replacement or removal the cord management device  11  can be moved in a sliding manner in the opposite direction freeing the cords  41  as needed. 
   Use of the inventive cord management device  11  in a snap on, snap off manner begins with the cord management device  11  removed from the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5 . The cord management device  11  may be removed by sliding it off either end of the surge suppressor or socket-multiplying device  5  or by snapping it off the ribs details  21  of the socket multiplying device  21 . The desired cord plugs  41  are inserted into the socket multiplying device  21  in a normal manner. For individual cord  41  replacement or removal the user can simply snap off the cord management device  11  from the rib details  21  of the surge suppressor or socket multiplying device  5  to free the cords  41  as needed. 
   Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that will still incorporate these teachings.