Patent Publication Number: US-2009236457-A1

Title: Light Winding Apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to winding and storing of Christmas lights, electrical cords, and the like, and more particularly to an apparatus for the ordered winding and unwinding of Christmas lights, electrical cords, and the like, wherein a single apparatus is reusable for multiple strands of lights 
     2. Background and Related Art 
     One of the major chores of the holiday season is the placing of holiday lights on the house, tree, etc., followed shortly thereafter by the removal and re-storage of the holiday lights. Many people find it difficult to adequately wind and store the holiday lights, along with any associated electrical extension cords, in a rapid and convenient way that prevents entanglement. For example, if lights that have been removed from a house, internal or external tree, etc. are not carefully stored, they may tangle. As is well known, tangled holiday lights are particularly difficult to untangle because of the many protruding light bulbs that tend to catch on one another and prevent easy untangling. 
     Therefore, many people try to be careful when removing and storing their holiday lights. However, even when being careful, many people find it difficult to properly wind and store their lights so as to prevent tangles. In addition, many people find it time consuming to properly wind and secure their holiday lights. 
     These and other problems in storing holiday lighting are often forgotten for months on end, until the stored holiday lights are retrieved from storage for the next year&#39;s holiday lighting display. At that point, many people, even those who took the time to carefully store their holiday lights, find it difficult to unwind or otherwise re-deploy their holiday lights. It is common for even the most carefully-wound lights to tangle during re-hanging, simply as a matter of how the light strands are unwound from the looped configuration in which they are typically stored. In some instances, the tangling can be so bad that individual light bulbs are damaged, or that the strand becomes unusable and must be replaced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Implementations of the invention provide a light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. Implementations of the invention may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc. 
     Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the various implementations of the light winder apparatus, the apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands. In the case of using the light winder apparatus for unwinding wound light strands, the apparatus may be actuated to receive a wound light strand, secure the wound light strand, and then unwind the wound light strand in an orderly fashion. The light winder apparatus is therefore highly useful and reusable for winding and unwinding light strands, addressing many of the issues encountered in using and storing light strands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a light winding apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a thumb button and a rotating jaw; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , further illustrating the rotating jaw; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , further illustrating the rotating jaw; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a rotating handle; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating features of a fixed jaw; 
         FIG. 8  provides a side perspective view of the fixed jaw of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating additional features of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a closer bottom perspective view of a fastener storage area; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a light winding apparatus; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  with a handle rotated 180 degrees from the view of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  with the handle in the position of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  with the handle in the position of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. Therefore, in the following description and in the claims, the term “light strand” is used in an illustrative sense, and should be interpreted to mean any type of cord, strand, etc. that a person might find it desirable to wind for storage and/or unwind/redeploy after storage, including extension cords, strands of holiday lighting, strands of icicle-style holiday lighting, strands of LED lighting, etc. It will also be readily understood that embodiments of the invention may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc. 
     Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the light winder apparatus, the apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands. In the case of using the light winder apparatus for deploying wound light strands, the apparatus may be actuated to receive a wound light strand, secure the wound light strand, and then deploy the wound light strand in an orderly fashion. The light winder apparatus is therefore highly useful and reusable for winding and unwinding light strands, addressing many of the issues encountered in using and storing light strands as discussed above. 
       FIGS. 1-10  show perspective views of a light winder apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a handle  12  and a body  14 . The handle  12  may be ergonomically formed to be comfortably held by an average human hand, and the ergonomic forming may also improve a grip of the handle  12  so that a person holding the apparatus  10  by the handle  12  easily maintains a secure grip. The body  14  of the apparatus  10  is attached to the handle  12 , and may be selectively rotatably attached to the handle  12 , as will be discussed below. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , the body  14  is generally elongate and may have a cross-sectional height and thickness to allow the body  14  to be comfortably grasped by an average human hand. As may be appreciated by reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the configuration of the handle  12  and the body  14  allows the apparatus  10  to be stored in a substantially-flat, space-saving configuration. 
     In at least some embodiments, the handle  12  is attached to the body  14  at a location offset from the center of the body  14 . In other embodiments, the handle  12  may be attached at a midpoint of the body  14 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10 , the handle  12  is attached to the body  14  at one end of the handle  12 . In other embodiments, the handle  12  may be attached to the body  14  at or near a midpoint of the handle  12 . 
     As previously mentioned, the body  14  may be elongate. At one end of the elongate body  14 , a fixed jaw  16  is attached to the body  14 . At the other end of the elongate body  14 , an openable jaw  18  is attached to the body  14 . The openable jaw  18  permits the apparatus  10  to be used to wind a light strand and then permits the apparatus to release the wound light strand so that the apparatus  10  can be re-used to wind additional light strands as needed. In addition, the openable jaw  18  permits the apparatus  10  to be used to receive and secure a previously-would light strand for unwinding the light strand when the light strand is to be used or used again. 
     The openable jaw  18  may include a fixed jaw member  20  and a moveable jaw member  22 . As may be appreciated, only one jaw member needs to be moveable to allow the openable jaw  18  to open, although the same functionality may be achieved if both jaw members of the openable jaw  18  are moveable jaw members  22 . In addition, it will be readily appreciated that the functionality of the apparatus is maintained in embodiments where both jaws are openable jaws  18  (i.e. where the fixed jaw  16  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10  is replaced with another openable jaw  18 . 
     A description of the use of the apparatus  10  will now be provided. When a user desires to wind a light strand using the apparatus  10 , the user wishes to wrap a first winding or two around the apparatus  10  (with the openable jaw  18  in the closed position illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , of course). While it is possible for the user to simply hold the first few windings of the light strand on the apparatus  10 , the apparatus  10  may be provided with features to assist in this operation. Specifically, a light strand channel  24  may be provided to one or both of the jaws. One embodiment of the light strand channel  24  is best visible in  FIG. 7 . As is commonly known, many light strands do not have a circular cross section, but either have multiple individual strands, or have a flattened cross section. Therefore, the light strand channel  24  may be configured to receive and secure a light strand. More specifically, the cross-section of the light strand channel  24  may include a narrow opening having a width of, for example, approximately four millimeters, with a broader inner portion of the light strand channel  24  having a width of, for example, approximately six millimeters. This channel configuration allows a user to twist or flex the light strand to pass through the narrow opening and be relatively securely held within the broader inner portion. 
     Thus, to wind a light strand, the user need not hold the end of the light strand while making the first few windings of the light strand. Instead, the user may insert a portion of the light strand near and end of the light strand into one of the light strand channels  24 , and may then release the light strand, knowing that the light strand will be secured within the light strand channel  24 . As may be appreciated, while the light strand channel on either jaw of the apparatus  10  may be used, it will typically be easier to remove the light strand from the apparatus if only the light strand channel  24  on the fixed jaw  16  is used. This is because removing the light strand from the light strand channel  24  is easier after some slack is provided to the wound light strand by opening the openable jaw  18  and releasing one end of the wound light strand from the apparatus  10 . Of course, this consideration is of less importance for embodiments with two openable jaws  18  instead of one fixed jaw  16  and one openable jaw  18 . 
     Once the light strand is secured in the light strand channel  24 , the user can wind the light strand around the apparatus  10 , with the light strand resting within the jaws during the winding operation. If an entire light strand is wound around the apparatus  10  and room remains in the jaws, the user may elect to continue winding one or more additional light strands on the apparatus  10  until the jaws are full, such as by plugging in an end of the second or third light strand into the plug of the light strand already wound on the apparatus. When the entire light strand (or light strands) is wound on the apparatus  10 , the user can secure the wound light strand in the wound configuration, may open the openable jaw  18 , and may remove the wound light strand from the openable jaw  18  and then the fixed jaw  18 . 
     As may be readily appreciated, it is desirable that the wound light strand remain in the wound configuration when it is removed from the apparatus  10 . Therefore, as set forth above, the wound light strand is optionally secured in the wound configuration before it is removed from the apparatus  10 . Any number of means may be used to secure the light strand in the wound configuration, including twist ties, cable ties, elastic securing means, strings, ropes, etc., and one of skill in the art will readily recognize the many different means for securing that may be used besides those specifically enumerated herein. Typically, there is enough room between the body  14  of the apparatus  10  and the wound light strand to pass the securing means between the wound light strand and the body  14 , allowing one or more securing means to be secured before the wound light strand is removed. 
     Alternatively, a securing means channel  26  may be formed in the handle  14  or even within the fixed jaw  16  to receive a securing means to assist in securing the wound light strand in the wound configuration. The securing means channel  26  is best visible within the fixed jaw  16  in  FIG. 7 . When the securing means channel  26  is located within the fixed jaw  16 , it may have a substantially-smooth curved configuration, to allow a securing means, such as a twist tie or cable tie to be inserted into one end of the securing means channel  26 , and to be pushed through the securing means channel  26  until it exits the far end of the securing means channel  26 . In embodiments of the fixed jaw  16  having both the securing means channel  26  and the light strand channel  24 , the securing means channel  26  may be deeper than the light strand channel  24 , so that the operation of pushing the securing means through the securing means channel  26  may be performed even when the light strand is secured in the light strand channel  24 , and even when the light strand is in its fully wound configuration on the apparatus  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the securing means channel  26  may be formed so as to secure the securing means, whereby the securing means may be pushed through the securing means channel  26  before the light strand is wound on the apparatus  10 . For example, the securing means channel  26  may have a cross section with a narrow opening and broader inner portion similar to the cross section of the light strand channel  24 . By way of example only, the narrow opening of the securing means channel  26  may have a width of approximately three millimeters, while the broader inner portion of the securing means channel  26  may have a width of approximately seven millimeters. In some embodiments, the broader inner portion of the light strand channel  24  may be approximately circular in cross section to provide more room for the light strand, the broader inner portion of the securing means channel  26  may have a flat bottom to guide the securing means as it is pushed through the securing means channel  26 . 
     Whether the light strand is wound on the apparatus  10  before or after the securing means is passed through the securing means channel  26 , the securing means may secure the light strand in the wound position before the wound light strand is removed from the apparatus  10 . As discussed previously, the wound light strand may be removed from the apparatus to allow winding of additional light strands by opening the openable jaw  18 . While the openable jaw  18  may open by any means known in the art, such as by having one jaw member be removable, by having one jaw member be hinged, or by having one jaw member be otherwise moveable so as to be out of the way of removing the wound light strand, the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10  includes the moveable jaw member  22 . The moveable jaw member  22  is moveable in the manner illustrated by reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The moveable jaw member  22  is normally locked into its light-strand-securing position so that it does not inadvertently release the wound light strand before it is desired to do so. In some embodiments, the moveable jaw member may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased into the locked position. The moveable jaw member  22  may be released from its light-stand-securing position by any number of methods, such as by pressing a release button on the body  14 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , the moveable jaw member  22  is released by grasping the moveable jaw member  22 , such as at thumb pads  28 , and by pulling downward (i.e. in a direction to broaden the openable jaw  18 ). Once the moveable jaw member  22  is pulled downward, it may be rotated in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 4  until it reaches the position of  FIG. 5 . Once the moveable jaw member  22  is in the position of  FIG. 5 , the wound light strand may be easily removed from the apparatus  10  in the manner discussed above. 
     As may be appreciated, when the wound light strand it to be used again, it may be placed on the apparatus  10  in the position of  FIG. 5 , and the openable jaw  18  may be closed in reverse fashion to that described above. After the openable jaw  18  is placed in its light-strand-securing position, the apparatus  10  may be used to unwind the light strand for re-use of the light strand. Because the light strand is unwound in substantially the same way that it is wound, the number of tangles are reduced, and unwinding becomes a simpler issue using the apparatus  10 . 
     Embodiments of the apparatus  10  may incorporate additional features to assist in the winding and unwinding operations. For example, as mentioned above, the handle  12  may be attached to the body  14  via a rotatable connection. With a rotatable connection, the user may simply hold on to the handle  12 , and either rotate the body  14  or allow the body to rotate  14  (such as in the case of unwinding the light strand) to speed the winding/unwinding procedure. In addition, a finger hole  30  may be provided at a distal end of the elongate body  14 , such as on the fixed jaw  16 , to assist with winding. The finger hole  30  is best visible in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The user may insert his or her finger or thumb into the finger hole  30 , and may then more easily rotate the body  14  or more easily control the speed of rotation during unwinding. If the handle  12  is connected to the body in a position offset from the center, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the user is thereby able to apply more torque with less force at the finger hole  30  than if the handle  12  were connected at the midpoint of the body  14 . 
     Rotation of the handle  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, it may be desirable to make the handle  12  lockable in one or more positions, such as the two positions in line with the body. This is particularly illustrated with respect to the illustrations of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 11- 14 .  FIGS. 11 and 14  illustrate the handle  12  in a first locked position (with the handle  12  extending toward the openable jaw  18 ), while  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the handle  12  in a second locked position (with the handle  12  extending toward the fixed jaw  16 ). To control locking and unlocking of the handle  12 , a thumb button  32  or other releasing device may be provided on the handle  12  or body. 
     The thumb button  32  or other releasing device may be selectively slidable into one of two positions (released and locked) and may remain in the selected position without action by the user. Alternatively, the thumb button  32  may be biased to the locked position, and may automatically return to the locked position unless the user maintains pressure on the thumb button  32 . Further alternatively, the thumb button  32  may be biased to the locked position, but may be augmented by a selector that holds the thumb button  32  in the released position when activated. When the thumb button  32  is released or moved to the release position, the handle  12  may immediately lock its position, or it may allow the body  14  to rotate until the handle  12  and body  14  are in line, and then the handle  12  may lock. Using the selectively rotating handle  12  and the finger hole  30 , easily controlled rotation of the body  14  may be achieved. 
     The body  14  provides a location that may be used to provide storage, such as a securing means storage  34  for storing twist ties or other securing means. The securing means storage  34  may be covered by a storage lid  36 . The securing means storage  34  and storage lid  36  are shown in close up in  FIG. 10 . The securing means storage  34  and storage lid  36  may be placed at any convenient location on the body  14 , or even in the handle  12 . 
     Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate the materials that may be used to make the various components of the apparatus  10 . Without limitation, such materials include plastics, metals, composites, and any other suitably durable and strong material. Additionally, different materials may be used for the different components, and the materials may be mixed as desired for functional and stylistic purposes. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.