Patent Publication Number: US-9902589-B2

Title: Cord winder and rail storage system

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/546,721, as filed on Oct. 13, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Rail storage systems typically comprise a wall mountable rail, and accessories that connect to the rail. Such systems may be used in a garage or other similar area. The accessories are designed to hold a wide variety of consumer items such as tools, bicycles, sports equipment and other consumer articles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment a winder accessory comprises a gripper assembly adapted to be releasably attached to a rail. A cord winder mechanism is supported on the gripper and comprises a spooling mechanism for winding a cord. The spool mechanism rotates on a rotating joint relative to the gripper. 
     The rotating joint may define an axis of rotation of the spooling mechanism where the axis of rotation is disposed substantially horizontally when the gripper assembly is mounted on the rail. The spooling mechanism may comprise a wireform. The spooling mechanism may comprise a handle. The spooling mechanism may comprise a plug holder. The spooling mechanism may comprise two arms spaced from one another about the rotating joint. The spooling mechanism may comprise a pair of cord retainer mechanisms one of the cord retainer mechanisms mounted to each of the arms. The cord retainer mechanisms may comprise substantially U-shaped members secured to the arms such that the open ends of the U-shaped members extend outwardly. The cord retainer mechanisms may comprise a pair of spaced legs that extend away from the support arms. The ends of the legs may be flared outwardly to facilitate the capture of the cord when the spooling mechanism is rotated. The rotating joint may comprise a stud and a sleeve where the sleeve fits over the stud such that the sleeve and stud may rotate relative to one another. A bushing may be located between the stud and the sleeve. The bushing may comprise a slot that extends through the bushing such that the bushing may be compressed between the sleeve and the stud. The bushing may create an interference fit between the sleeve and the stud where friction generated by the interference fit slows the rotation of the sleeve relative to the stud such that the sleeve does not freely rotate relative to the stud. Friction may be added to the rotating joint to prevent the spooling mechanism from freely rotating. A pivot joint may be provided between the cord winder mechanism and the gripper assembly that defines a second axis of rotation. The pivot joint may detach the cord winder mechanism from the gripper. The pivot joint may comprise a stud that is releasably inserted into a sleeve along the second axis of rotation. The stud may comprise a first end and a second end and is arranged such that the first end and the second end may be inserted into the sleeve. The second axis of rotation may be disposed substantially vertically and the axis of rotation may be disposed substantially horizontally. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an accessory mounted on a partial rail portion. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the accessory of  FIG. 1  mounted on a rail in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded front view of the accessory of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded back view of the accessory of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the engagement of the latch with a rail in a locked position. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the disengagement of the latch from a rail in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cord winder accessory mounted on a rail. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded front perspective view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of the cord winder accessory of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a yet another embodiment of a cord winder accessory mounted on a rail. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded front perspective view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial section view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 10  in a second position. 
         FIG. 14  is a detailed front perspective view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 10  in the second position. 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of still another embodiment of a cord winder accessory mounted on a rail. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a partial section view of the rotating joint of the cord winder accessory of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a bushing usable in various embodiment of the cord winder of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of the arrangement of the bushing and stud. 
         FIG. 20  is a section view showing the arrangement of the bushing and stud. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like references numbers are used to refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” or “top” or “bottom” or “front” or “rear” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, area or region to another element, area or region as illustrated in the figures. 
     The cord winder accessory  1  of the invention is shown in the figures as configured to be supported on a rail  2 . While a specific embodiment of the rail is shown, the cord winder accessory  1  may be used with other rail configurations. Further, while the cord winder accessory  1  is particularly suited to be mounted on a rail system as shown and described herein, the cord winder accessory may be mounted on a mounting structure other than a rail. For example, the cord winder accessory may be fixed to a mounting plate that is mounted directly to a surface such as a wall using fasteners such as screws. 
     The cord winder accessory  1  will be described with reference to a rail, an embodiment of which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . While a specific embodiment of the rail  2  is shown the accessory of the invention may be used with other rail configurations. Rail  2  extends horizontally along, and is mounted to, a vertical surface  3  such as a wall and may extend for an extended linear distance along the wall. In one embodiment the rail  2  is manufactured and sold in four to seven foot lengths although the rail may have any suitable length. Rail  2  may include a rail member  4  mounted to a wall or other vertical surface  3 . The rail member  4  is made of steel or other rigid material and may include apertures for receiving fasteners such as screws for attaching the rail member  4  to the vertical surface  3 . The rail member  4  includes a first flange  6  that extends along substantially the entire length of the upper edge of the rail member  4  and a second flange  8  that extends along substantially the entire length of the lower edge of the rail member  4 . The flanges  6  and  8  are spaced from the vertical surface  3  when the rail member  4  is attached to vertical surface  3  such that a space is created between the flanges  6 ,  8  and the vertical surface  3 . The rail member  4  may have a center ridge  4   a  formed along the center of the rail to add rigidity to the rail member  4 . In the illustrated embodiment the rail member  4  is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis such that such that the rail may be positioned with either of flanges  6  and  8  facing upward and either of flanges  6  and  8  facing downward. 
     A rail cover  10  is secured to the rail member  4  such that the rail member  4  is disposed behind and covered by the rail cover  10 . The rail cover  10  may provide a more decorative finish to the rail and may be made of PVC or other material. The rail cover  10  has a first recess  12  formed along substantially the entire length of the interior of the top edge of rail cover  10 . The rail cover  10  also has a second interior recess  14  formed along substantially the entire length of the interior of the bottom edge of rail cover  10 . The first recess  12  and second recess  14  are disposed such that they are engaged by flange  6  and flange  8 , respectively, to secure the cover  10  to the rail member  4 . The cover  10  may be slid over the rail member  4  or the cover  10  may flex to snap onto the rail member  4 . Other connection mechanisms may be used to connect the rail cover  10  to the rail member  4  such as separate fasteners. Moreover, the rail may be made of a one-piece member or multiple pieces rather than the two-piece construction shown in the Figures. One such rail system is sold by Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. under the name FAST TRACK®. 
     The rail cover  10  is formed with an upper engagement mechanism  20  and a lower engagement mechanism  22  for connecting the accessory  1  to the rail  2 . The upper engagement mechanism  20  comprises a channel  26  that extends along the length of the upper edge of the rail  2 . The channel  26  is defined by a raised edge  28  that extends along the length of the upper edge of the rail cover  10  along the front of channel  26 . The lower engagement mechanism  22  comprises a rearwardly extending flange  30  that extends along the length of the lower edge of the rail cover  10  and extends toward the surface  3  and that is engaged by the accessory as will hereinafter be described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the cord winder accessory  1  comprises a gripper assembly  40  that supports the cord winder mechanism. The gripper assembly  40  comprises a support  42  and a gripper mechanism  70 . The cord winder mechanism is attached to the support  42  such as by welding, separate fasteners, a unitary design or the like. The support  42  is in the form of a plate that is dimensioned to extend from the upper edge of rail  2  to beyond the lower edge of rail  2 . The support  42  faces the front face  2   a  of rail  2  when the accessory  1  is attached to rail  2 . The support  42  has a flange  44  at its upper end that is formed as a downwardly facing hook having a substantially horizontal section  44   a  and a substantially downwardly extending section  44   b  that define a downwardly open channel  48 . The flange  44  is dimensioned such that the edge  28  of rail  2  can extend into channel  48  with the downwardly extending flange  44   b  extending into channel  26  to suspend the accessory  1  on the rail  2 . A support flange  50  extends from the bottom of support  42  and has a first section  50   a  that extends substantially perpendicular to the support  42  and a second section  50   b  that extends substantially parallel to the support  42 . Support  42  is dimensioned such that flange  50  is spaced below the lower edge of rail  2 . Flange  50  is dimensioned such that the second section  50   b  abuts or lies closely adjacent to the surface  3  on which the rail  2  is mounted when accessory  1  is mounted on rail  2  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Section  50   b  of flange  50  assists in supporting the accessory on the rail when a load is placed on the storage accessory  41 . A load on the storage accessory  41  will tend to rotate the accessory counter-clockwise (as viewed in  FIG. 2 ) such that the bottom of the accessory  1  will tend to rotate toward the support surface  3 . The engagement of the flange  50  with the support surface  3  prevents or limits this motion. Flange section  50   b  may be provided with a hole  51  for receiving a fastener to secure the support  42  to the surface  3 . The support  42  may be made of sheetmetal such as steel formed as a flat plate and bent to the desired shape such that the support  42 , hook  44  and flange  50  are one-piece. 
     Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an opening  56  is formed through the support  42  where the opening  56  is disposed opposite to the lower edge of the rail  2  when the accessory  1  is mounted on the rail  2 . A pivot axis  60  is formed on the opposite side of the support  42  from flanges  44  and  50  for pivotably supporting the gripper mechanism  70  as will hereinafter be described. In the illustrated embodiment the pivot axis  60  comprises two flanges  52  that extend away from the support  42  where each flange includes a pin  54  that forms the pivot. In the illustrated embodiment, where the support plate is formed of sheetmetal, the flanges  52  may be created by bending the material of the support  42  that was punched out to form opening  56 . The pin  54  may be formed as projections pressed or stamped into the flanges  52 . The pivot axis may also comprise, for example, a separate pin rotatably mounted to the support  42 . A spring perch  58  is also formed on the support  42  on the same side as pivot axis  60 . The spring perch  58  may be formed as a protrusion pressed or stamped into the sheetmetal support  42  that engages and supports one end of a compression spring  80 . 
     The gripper assembly  40  also comprises gripper mechanism  70  that comprises a rigid body  72  having a peripheral side wall  74 . The body  72  may be formed of molded plastic. A pair of opposed holes or indentations  76  are formed in the side wall  74 . The pivot pins  54  on support  42  engage the holes  76  such that the pins  54  can rotate in the holes  76  and the gripper body  72  can pivot about the pivot axis  60  relative to the support  42 . A spring perch  78  is formed in the gripper body  72  that is located opposite to and faces the spring perch  58  on the support  42  for receiving the end of the spring  80 . Compression spring  80  is supported on the spring perches  58 ,  78  and is disposed between the gripper mechanism  70  and the support  42  such that the spring  80  biases the gripper body  72  about the pivot axis  60  such that the bottom of the gripper mechanism  70  is pivoted toward support  42  and the rail  2 . 
     A latch  90  extends from the back side of the gripper body  72  that faces support  42  such that it extends through the hole  56  formed in the support plate  42 . The latch  90  is dimensioned and arranged such that the latch  90  is positioned opposite to the lower engagement mechanism  22  when the accessory  1  is mounted on the rail  2 . The latch  90  is positioned such that when the top flange  44  is hooked over the edge  28  of the rail  2  the latch  90  is disposed opposite to the lower engagement mechanism  22 . Latch  90  includes a cam surface  92  where the cam surface  92  is disposed opposite to and strikes the facing cam surface  94  on the engagement mechanism  22 ,  FIG. 5 , during mounting of the accessory  1  on rail  2 . The engagement of the cam surface  92  with cam surface  94  rotates the latch  90  and body  72  relative to support  42  away from the rail  2  such that the latch  90  passes under the rail  2  and engagement mechanism  22 . When the distal end  96  of the latch  90  clears the bottom of the rail  2 , the latch  90  and body  72  rotate relative to the support  42  by spring  80  such that the latch  90  is biased into engagement with the engagement mechanism  22  of the rail  2  to the locked position of  FIGS. 5 and 8 . The latch  90  is formed with a shaped mating surface  98  that engages and grips a shaped mating surface  100  formed on engagement mechanism  22  to securely lock the accessory  1  to the rail  2 . In the illustrated embodiment the mating surface  98  of latch  90  includes a recess that receives a mating protrusion on the engagement mechanism  22  although this structure may be reversed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the gripper mechanism  70  may use a reinforcement member  102  to support and reinforce the latch  90  to add strength and rigidity to the latch  90 . In one embodiment the reinforcement member  102  is an L-shaped steel plate having a having a first leg  102   a  and a second leg  102   b  arranged at an angle to the first leg  102   a . The first leg  102   a  extends along and is connected to the body  72  and the second leg  102   b  extends along and is connected to the latch  90 . In one embodiment the reinforcement member  102  is insert molded in the molded plastic gripper body  72 . The reinforcement member  102  may be exposed on the front surface of the gripper body  72  such that the user may press directly on the exposed portion of reinforcement member  102  in the area above the pivot axis  60  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The reinforcement member  102  may have a depression  104  for identifying this location for the user. The gripper body  72  may also be rotated by the pulling the bottom of the gripper mechanism  70  away from the rail  2 . In this regard the gripper body  72  may be provided with a handle  106  that can be gripped by the user. The reinforcement member  102  may be eliminated such that the gripper body and latch  90  are formed as a one piece all plastic member where area  104  is part of the plastic body. 
     To mount the accessory  1 , on the rail  2 , the top hook  44  is located over the raised edge  28  of the rail  2  such that the accessory  1  is suspended on the rail  2 . In this position the latch  90  is positioned facing the bottom edge of the rail  2 . The cam surface  92  of latch  90  may rest against the cam surface  94  of the lower engagement mechanism  22 . The user pushes the accessory  1  toward rail  2  to rotate the bottom of the accessory  1  toward rail  4  such that latch  90  moves against the engagement mechanism  22 . The cam surface  92  on the latch  90  engages the cam surface  94  on the engagement mechanism  22  such that the body  72  and latch  90  are rotated about axis  60  relative to the support  42  and away from the rail  2  such that the latch  90  is moved generally downward as viewed in the figures. Body  72  rotates about pivot axis  60  such that the latch  90  is rotated under rail  2 . As the user continues to push the bottom of accessory  1  toward rail  2 , the latch  90  passes under the bottom of the rail  2 . Once the end  96  of latch  90  clears the end of engagement mechanism  22  the body and latch are moved relative to support  42  by spring  80  until the mating surface  98  of the latch  90  engages the mating surface  100  of the engagement mechanism  22  to the locked position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 . The engagement of the latch  90  with the rail  2  prevents the accessory  1  from being inadvertently knocked off of the rail by the user even if the user applies an upward force to the accessory  1 . 
     To remove the accessory  1  from the rail  2 , the user rotates the gripper body  72  relative to the support  42  to release the latch  90  from the engagement mechanism  22  and move the gripper mechanism  70  to the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The user may either pull on the bottom of the gripper body  72  at handle  106  or push at area  104  to rotate the bottom of the gripper body  72  and latch  90  away from the rail  2  as shown by arrow A in  FIG. 6 . Once the latch  90  is disengaged from the rail  2 , the hook  44  can be lifted from the top of the rail  2  and the accessory  1  removed from the rail. 
     The cord winder accessory  1  can be positioned and repositioned anywhere along the rail  2 . One suitable system with which the cord winder accessory  1  may be used is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,781, titled “Storage System”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another suitable system with which the cord winder accessory  1  may be used is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0091086, titled “Rail Storage System”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other arrangements and configurations of the rail and gripper may be used to support the cord winder accessory  1 . 
     Referring to the Figures, embodiments of a cord winder accessory is shown that comprises an accessory mount or gripper, such as gripper assembly  40  described above, that supports the cord winder on a rail. The cord winder accessory  1  comprises a cord winder mechanism  200  that is connected to the gripper assembly  40  such that the cord winder mechanism  200  is securely supported by the gripper. The cord winder accessory  1  may be used for winding cords such as electrical cords, extension cords, rope, hose or other flexible elongated members (referred to collectively herein as “cord”). The cord winder accessory of the invention eliminates twisting of the cord or other member by using a rotary wrapping design. To free the user&#39;s hands for winding the cord, the winder may be constrained from movement by attaching the cord winder accessory to a storage rail using a gripper such as used in the Rubbermaid Fasttrack® storage system and as described previously herein. Once the cord winder accessory is fixed in position such as by being locked onto a rail using the gripper assembly  40  both of the users&#39; hands are free to wind the cord. One hand may be used to drive a crank and the other hand may be used to guide the cord onto the rotating spooling mechanism  220  and keep appropriate tension in the cord to prevent unraveling and/or binding of the cord. Also, the spooling mechanism  220  has a suitably sized radial length to improve the efficiency and speed of winding over other rotary cord winder units. In some embodiments, the cord winder accessory  1  may comprise a detachable pivot hinge that is separate from the gripper and that allows the user to reposition the cord winder relative to the wall. In some embodiments, the spooling mechanism  220  may be moved between a left and right first positions parallel to the wall to optimize storage space (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and a second position where it extends from the wall (shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in one embodiment, the winder accessory  1  comprises a support  204  that supports the winder mechanism  200  on the gripper assembly  40 . The support  204  may comprise a wire form bent to engage and be secured to the gripper assembly  40 . The support  204  may be secured to the gripper assembly  40  by welding, separate fasteners, adhesive, friction fit, mechanical engagement or the like or a combination of such mechanisms. The support  204  may be permanently attached to the gripper mechanism  70  or it may be removably mounted to the gripper mechanism  70 . In some embodiments, the free end of the support  204  pivotably supports the winder mechanism  200  at a pivot joint  206  such that the winder mechanism  200  may rotate relative to the support  204  about a vertical axis. The winder mechanism  200  comprises a winder body  208  that may be pivoted about the pivot joint  206  such that it may be rotated flat against the wall in left or right first positions or extended away from the wall in a second position. The pivot joint  206  may provide a separable connection between the winder mechanism  200  and the support  204  such that the winder mechanism  200  may be removed from the gripper assembly  40 . Because the winder mechanism  200  is removable, a user may remove the winder mechanism  200  and use the winder mechanism  200  remote from the gripper assembly  40  and rail  2 . In one embodiment, the pivot joint  206  comprises a vertically oriented cylindrical sleeve  210  secured to the support  204  that rotatably receives a post or stud  212  formed on one end of the winder body  208 . The cylindrical post or stud  212  may be removably inserted into the mating cylindrical sleeve  210  such that the winder body  208  may be removed from the gripper mechanism  70  simply by lifting the stud  212  from the sleeve  210 . A suitable low friction bushing such as a low friction plastic tubular sleeve may be provided between the stud  212  and the sleeve  210 . 
     In one embodiment, the winder body  208  is attached to a central portion of the stud  212  such that when the stud  212  is removed from the sleeve  210 , the stud  212  forms a convenient hand grip that may be held by the user for carrying the winder. By centering the body  208  on the stud  212  the weight of the winder mechanism be centered in the user&#39;s hand when it is carried. Moreover, centering the body  208  on the stud  212  allows the winder mechanism  200  to be easily carried by both right handed and left handed people. Further, the entire winder mechanism  200  may be turned upside down 180 degrees such that the top end of the stud  212  (as viewed in  FIG. 7 ) is inserted into sleeve  210 . By flipping over the winder mechanism  200 , the winder may be pivoted to the right side of the pivot joint  206  (rather to the left side of the pivot joint  206  as shown) so as to be positioned parallel to the rail  2  to either the right or left side of pivot joint  206 . 
     The body  208  may also comprise a wire form that has a first end fixed to the stud  212  and a second end that supports a rotating joint  214 . The rotating joint  214  has an axis of rotation that is disposed substantially horizontally when the winder mechanism  200  is attached to the gripper assembly  40  at pivot joint  206 . In one embodiment, the rotating joint  214  is arranged such that the axis of rotation extends perpendicularly to the rail  2  when the body  208  is rotated to the first position adjacent rail  2 . In one embodiment, the rotating joint  214  comprises a stud  216  that is supported by and fixed to the body  208 . The stud  216  supports a bushing  218  such as a plastic bushing that rides on the stud  216  to provide a low friction mount for the spooling mechanism  220 . The spooling mechanism  220  comprises a bearing sleeve  222  that fits over and rotates on the bushing  218  such that the spooling mechanism  220  may rotate about the stud  212 . The stud  212  may be provided with screw threads  224  at its distal end. A nut  226  may engage the threads  224  to secure the spooling mechanism  220  on the stud  216 . A pair of low friction washers  228  such as plastic washers may be provided on each end of the sleeve  222  (between the sleeve  222  and the nut  226  and between the sleeve  222  and the body  208 ) to provide low friction surfaces against which the bearing sleeve  222  rotates. While a particular embodiment of the rotating joint  214  is shown, numerous changes may be made in the details of the rotating joint  14 . 
     The spooling mechanism  220  comprises a support structure  230  for supporting a cord retainer structure  234  on the bearing sleeve  222 . In one embodiment the support structure  230  comprises a pair of arms  232  that are fixed to and extend from the bearing sleeve  222 . The arms  232  may be located 180 degrees from one another such that the spooling mechanism  220  is relatively evenly balanced on the bearing sleeve  222 . While two arms  232  are shown, the support structure  230  may comprise a greater number of arms. Each arm  232  supports a cord retainer structure  234 . In one embodiment the cord retainer structure  234  comprises a U-shaped member  236  attached to the distal ends of each of the arms  232 . The U-shaped members  236  are arranged such that the troughs  236   b  of the U-shaped members  236  are attached to the arms  232  with the spaced legs  236   b  extending away from the support arms  232 . The ends of the legs  236   b  are flared outwardly to facilitate the capture of the cord in the U-shaped members  236  when the spooling mechanism  220  is rotated. A cord may be wound between the cord retainer structures  234  such that the cord extends between and is wrapped around the retainer structures. While the cord retainer structures  234  are shown as U-shaped members the cord retainer structures may have other than a U-shape provided a cord may be inserted into the retainer members as the spooling mechanism  220  is rotated. For example, the cord retainer structure may comprise a rotating drum or spool. 
     One of the arms  232  may comprise a handle or crank  244  to facilitate the rotation of the spooling mechanism  220  on the rotating joint  214 . In one embodiment the handle or crank  244  is formed as an extension of one of the arms  232  such that the handle is disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivot joint  206 . The other arm  232  may be formed with a plug holder  238  that retains the end of an electrical cord having a plug. The plug holder  238  comprises a hook or other similar structure into which the end of the cord with the plug may be inserted through opening  239 . 
     As shown in the various embodiments described herein, the support  204 , body  208 , support structure  234 , cord retainer structures  234 , plug holder  238  and handle  244  may be made of bent wireforms. The structures may be assembled from multiple wireforms secured together such as by welding or the like. Further, a single one-piece wireform may be used to make multiple structures. The wireforms may be assembled to create the various components and structures defined herein in a wide variety of ways. 
     For example, in some embodiments, the support structure  230  and the cord retainer structures  234  may be formed of one-piece such as a wireform bent into, or otherwise made, into the shape shown in  FIG. 9 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the handle or crank  244  is attached as a separate component to the one-piece support structure  230  and cord retainer structures  234  rather than being formed as part of the support structure. The plug holder  238  may also formed as part of the wireform that forms the handle or crank  244 . In some embodiments, the cylindrical bearing sleeve of  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be replaced by a bearing plate  250  as shown in  FIG. 9  where the bearing plate  50  is fixed to the support structure  230  and rotates on the stud  216 . 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 . The threaded stud  216  is replaced by a non-threaded bearing sleeve  252 . The sleeve  252  supports a plastic or other low friction bushing  254  on its outer surface and receives a threaded member  256 , such as a bolt, in the cylindrical bore  258 . A nut  260  engages the bolt  256  to retain the bolt  256  in the bearing sleeve  252  and to secure the spooling mechanism  220  on the bearing sleeve  252 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 through 14 , the low friction bushing  254  is formed with an integral washer  254   a  such that only a single separate washer  258  is used, disposed between the bearing sleeve  222  and the nut  260 . A retaining flange  246 , formed on the sleeve  252 , acts as a seat against which the bushing  254  and sleeve  222  are trapped when the nut  260  is tightened on bolt  256 . The handle  244  and the plug holder  238  are formed of a single wireform that extends between the cord retainer structures  234 . In addition to forming the plug holder  238  and handle  244  this member reinforces the spooling structure. 
     An alternate embodiment of the pivot hinge  206  is used in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 . The support  204  supports a vertically disposed sleeve  210  that is dimensioned to receive the stud  212  formed on the end of the winder body  208 . The sleeve  210  is supported by rear wireforms  264  and  266  that are connected to the gripper assembly  40 . Front wireforms  268  and  270  are attached to the sleeve  210  and may be made by a separate wireform structure. The sleeve  210  and wireforms  264 ,  266 ,  268  and  270  define three discrete positions  272 ,  274  and  276  for retaining the winder mechanism  200  in a retracted left position, a retracted right position and an extended position. In the retracted positions the winder mechanism and body  208  are disposed adjacent and parallel to the rail  2  to either the right or left of the pivot hinge  206  and in the extended position the winder mechanism may extend from the rail  2 . When the post  212  is inserted into the sleeve  210  the body  208  is trapped between two adjacent wireforms to hold the winder mechanism  200  in the desired position  272 ,  274 ,  276 . To move the winder mechanism  200  between the positions, the winder mechanism  200  is lifted such that the body  208  is removed from between the adjacent wire forms and the winder mechanism  200  is then rotated to another one of the discrete positions. When the winder mechanism  200  is positioned in the desired position, the stud  212  is lowered into sleeve  210  such that the body  208  is again trapped between two adjacent wireforms in one of the positions  272 ,  274 ,  276 . While the discrete positions have been shown and described as being defined by the wireforms attached to sleeve  210 , the sleeve  210  may have notches or recesses along its top edge that receive the body  208  and define the discrete positions  272 ,  274 ,  276 . 
     A pair of hooks  280  and  282  project from the front of the sleeve  210  and are spaced from one another to receive the body  208  therebetween. In one embodiment the hooks  280  and  282  are formed by bending the top ends of the front wireforms  268  and  270  with one hook positioned to each side of sleeve  210 . The hooks  280  and  282  are arranged such that the winder mechanism  200  may be suspended vertically as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In this position the stud  212  is not inserted into sleeve  210 . Rather stud  212  spans and is suspended on hooks  280  and  282  such that the body  208  extends downwardly and is suspended between the hooks  280  and  282  and is disposed adjacent and parallel to the wall  3 . 
     While the support  204 , body  208  and spooling mechanism  220  in the illustrated embodiments are formed of wireform structures where metal rods (or wireforms) are bent into the desired shape, these components may be made in other ways and using other materials and may have shapes other than the rod shape shown in the drawings. For example, these components may be made of molded or extruded plastic or extruded or die cast metal. Further, the various components may be made as one piece or as multiple pieces connected together as described herein. In a wireform structure as described herein, an epoxy powder coating may be applied to the components. 
     To use the winder accessory  1 , the gripper assembly  40  may be attached to a rail  2 . The winder body  208  may be rotated about the axis defined by pivot joint  206  such that it extends substantially perpendicularly from the wall on which the winder is mounted. The user may grasp handle or crank  244  to rotate the spooling mechanism  220  and wind and/or unwind the cord. The cord may also be unwound simply by pulling on the cord. The cord may be wound on the spooling mechanism  220  using handle  244 . For storage, the wringer body  208  may be rotated about pivot joint  206  such that the body  208  extends parallel to and closely adjacent the wall for storage. If the user wants to use the cord in a remote location, the stud  212  may be removed from the sleeve  210  and the spooling mechanism  220  may be carried to the desired location. The user may also remove the gripper assembly  40  from the rail  2  to reposition the winder accessory  1  on the rail  2  or to move the winder accessory  1  to another location. 
     A 
     An alternate embodiment of the winder accessory is shown in  FIGS. 15 through 20  and comprises a gripper assembly  40  for being attached to a rail as previously described. The support  204  comprises a rotating joint  214  that allows the spooling mechanism  220  to rotate relative to support  204  about a substantially horizontal axis to wind or unwind a cord. Unlike the previous embodiments, the winder accessory of  FIGS. 15 through 20  does not include a body that pivots about a vertical axis on a detachable pivot joint. As a result, while the winder accessory may be repositioned on a rail using gripper assembly  40  it cannot be moved relative to the rail between retracted and extended positions. Moreover, while the winder accessory  1  may be removed from the rail  2  by removing gripper assembly  40  from the rail  2 , there is no separate connection such as at detachable pivot joint  206 . 
     The winder mechanism comprises a spooling mechanism  220  comprising a support structure  230  comprising two arms  232  attached to a central sleeve  222  where the arms  232  are spaced from one another approximately 180 degrees such that the spooling mechanism is approximately evenly balanced. The arms  232  may be formed of a one-piece component that is attached at a midpoint to the sleeve  222 . In the illustrated embodiment the arms  232  are formed of a wireform bent to the desired shape. One end of the wireform is bent to form an exposed handle  244  that extends from the spooling mechanism approximately parallel to the axis of rotation. The opposite end of the wireform is bent to form a plug holder  238  in the shape of a hook. The cord may be inserted through opening  239  and the plug may be retained by the plug holder  238  during winding of the cord on the spooling mechanism. The plug holder  238  is dimensioned such that the plug cannot fit through the interior space defined by the hook. 
     The cord retainer mechanism  234  comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped members  236  secured to the arms  232  such that the open ends of the U-shaped members extend outwardly. The U-shaped members  236  are arranged such that the troughs  236   b  of the U-shaped members  236  are attached to the arms  232  with the spaced legs  236   a  extending away from the support arms  232 . The ends of the legs  236   a  are flared outwardly to facilitate the capture of the cord in the U-shaped members  236  when the winder mechanism is rotated. A cord may be wound between the cord retainer structures  234  such that the cord extends between and is wrapped around the retainer structures. While the cord retainer structures  234  are shown as U-shaped members the cord retainer structures may have other than a U-shape provided a cord may be inserted into the retainer members as the spooling mechanism  220  is rotated. For example, the cord retainer structure may comprise a rotting drum or spool. PVC sleeves  227  may be provided over the ends of the legs if desired. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the stud  224  may have a length A of between approximately 2.5 and 3.5 inches with one preferred length being approximately 3 inches. The support structure  230  may have a length B of between approximately 7.0 and 8.0 inches with one preferred length being approximately 7.5 inches. The U-shaped members may have a depth C of between approximately 3.0 and 4.0 inches with one preferred depth being approximately 3.5 inches, and a width D of between approximately 3.5 and 4.5 inches with one preferred width being approximately 4.0 inches. The handle  244  may have a length E of between approximately 2.0 and 2.0 inches with one preferred length being approximately 2.5 inches. 
     Referring more specifically to  FIG. 16 , the rotating joint  214  comprises a horizontally extending stud  224  that extends from the support  204 . In one embodiment the support  204  and stud  224  are made of one-piece member such as the illustrated wireform where the wireform is configured such that the end of the wireform extends substantially horizontally away from the gripper assembly  40  to form the stud  224 . The sleeve  222  of the spooling mechanism  220  fits over the stud  224  such that the sleeve  222  may rotate relative to the stud  224 . In other embodiments these elements may be reversed where the sleeve extends from the support  204  and the stud is formed on the spooling mechanism  220 . 
     To mount the sleeve  222  of the spooling mechanism  220  over the stud  224  a bushing  218   a  and  218   b  is located in each end of the sleeve  222 . The bushings  218   a  and  218   b  may comprise plastic bushings and may be ABS plastic. A washer  228  is located between the bushings and the retaining clips  229  to protect the retaining clips. The retaining clips may comprise E-style retaining clips that are force fit onto the stud  224  and engage grooves  231  formed on the stud  224  to lock the spooling mechanism  220  on the stud  224 . 
     In one embodiment the bushings  218   a  and  218   b  are used to control the rotation of the sleeve  222  on the stud  224  to prevent the spooling mechanism  220  from freely spinning on the stud  224 . Each bushing  218   a  and  218   b  is formed as a stepped cylindrical bushing having a smaller outer diameter portion  233  that fits into the sleeve  222  and a larger outer diameter portion  235  that abuts the sleeve  222  to position the bushing in the sleeve as shown in  FIG. 18 . The bushing further comprises a slot  237  that extends through the bushing such that the bushing may be compressed during assembly of the rotating joint  214 . In one embodiment the internal bore  300  of the bushing is formed with a cylindrical surface  302  having a flat or a plurality of flat surfaces  303  formed therein. Likewise, the external surface of portion  233  includes a cylindrical surface  305  having a flat or a plurality of flat surfaces  306  formed therein. When the bushing is compressed between the stud  224  and the sleeve  222  the flat surfaces  303  contact the stud  224  but the cylindrical surface  302  does not contact the stud  224 , and the cylindrical surface  305  contacts the sleeve  222  but the flat surfaces  306  do not contact the sleeve  222 . The amount of surface area contact between the bushings and the sleeve  222  and stud  224  and the amount of force exerted on these components from the compression of the bushings between the sleeve  222  and stud  224  determines the amount of friction added to the system. The bushings  218   a  and  218   b  create an interference fit between the sleeve  222  and the stud  224 . The friction generated by the interference fit slows the rotation of the sleeve  222  relative to the stud  224  such that the sleeve does not freely rotate on the stud. Because the sleeve  222  does not freely spin on the stud  224 , the spooling mechanism  220  is prevented from accidently rotating and unwinding the cord. While the interference fit between the stud and the sleeve prevents the free rotation of the spooling mechanism, the interference fit is selected such that when a user applies a force to the spooling mechanism  220  the spooling mechanism may be rotated to wind or unwind the cord. The amount of friction added to the system may be determined to allow the spooling mechanism  220  to spin more or less freely as desired. The interference fit may be used with any embodiment of the invention to prevent the free spinning of the spooling mechanism 
     Operation of the winder of the invention will be described. The cord winder accessory may be mounted in a stationary position on a wall or other surface. In one embodiment, the winder assembly is mounted on a rail  2  using a gripper assembly  40  as previously described. Once mounted on the rail, the cord winder accessory  1  may be operated with two hands. One end of the cord is inserted into the cord holder  238  with the cord disposed in one of the cord retainers  234 . The cord may be guided into the spooling mechanism  220  with one hand while the spooling mechanism is wound with the other hand using the handle  244 . The cord may be wound onto the spooling accessory by rotating the spooling mechanism  220 . Once the cord is completely wound on the spooling mechanism  220  the free end of the cord may be woven under itself to hold the free end of the cord in place. To use the cord remote from the wall, the gripper assembly  40  may be removed from the rail and the cord transported on the cord winder accessory. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.