Abstract:
Apparatus and method that includes a sheath defining a passage through which a flat cord is adapted to extend, the width of the sheath being greater than its height and the width of the cord being greater than its height, the width of the sheath and the width of the cord being substantially aligned. After stretching and permitting the sheath to retract, a second amount of the cord is disposed within the sheath, with the second amount being greater than the first amount, and wherein, in each configuration, the width of the sheath and the width of the cord remain substantially aligned.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a utility patent application which depends from and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61,584,218 filed on Jan. 7, 2012 entitled “Flat Cord Manifestation,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein as if set forth in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for manipulating a flat cord, with the manipulation including but not limited to storing, packaging, collapsing or extending the cord in or from a sheath, in such a manner that the side of the sheath does not rotate and, consequently, remains substantially flat, during use. 
         [0003]    Sheaths for protecting and storing cords are known in the art. One such sheath is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,414 naming the same inventor as the invention described herein, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein as if set forth in its entirety. However, sheaths and cords of the prior art are generally round and do not maintain a common axis as the cord enters, exits and resides in the sheath. In other words, sheaths of the prior art may rotate around the cord as the sheath is extended and retracted. Because of this, a message, logo or imprint that is printed on, or affixed to, the sheath would appear unreadable. 
         [0004]    There is a need, therefore, for an apparatus and method which includes a sheath defining a passage through which a flat cord is adapted to extend, the width of the sheath being greater than its height and the width of the cord being greater than its height; wherein the width of the sheath and the width of the cord remain substantially aligned throughout use and storage of the cord. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a sheath defining a passage through which a flat cord is adapted to extend, the width of the sheath being greater than its height and the width of the cord being greater than its height; wherein the sheath comprises a first configuration in which the sheath has a first length, and a first amount of the cord is disposed within the passage when the cord extends through the passage; a second configuration in which the sheath has a second length wherein the second length is greater than the first length; and a third configuration in which the cord extends through the sheath and at least a portion of the internal surface of the sheath engages at least a portion of the cord, and a second amount of the cord is disposed within the passage wherein the second amount of the cord is greater than the first amount of the cord, and wherein, in each configuration, the width of the sheath and the width of the cord remain substantially aligned. 
         [0006]    In use, the flat cord is extended through the sheath having a first length so that a first amount of the cord is disposed within the sheath, the sheath is stretched to a second length that is greater than the first length, and the sheath is permitted to retract to a third length that is less than the second length so that a second amount of the cord is disposed within the sheath wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount and, throughout such use, the width of the sheath and the width of the cord remain substantially aligned. 
         [0007]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly certain aspects of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may better be understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  shows an elevation view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  shows a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a configuration in which the cord is partially extended from the sheath; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows an elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a configuration in which the cord is fully extended from the sheath; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  depicting the extension of the sheath to cover the cord; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in which the sheath is fully extended; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of utilizing a flat cord within an elastic storage sheath. The configuration and use of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts other than storage and use of an electronic cord. Accordingly, the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. In addition, the following terms shall have the associated meaning when used herein:
       “cord” means and includes electrical and non-electrical cable (including ribbon cables), cable assemblies, wire, wire assemblies, cable harnesses assemblies, cords, strings, ropes, lines, twines, threads, braided bands, tape, tubing, tethers, fabrics, meshes, sheets, and similar materials or combinations thereof;   “flat” means and includes any configuration in which the width is greater than the height; and   “sheath” means and includes any type of covering which generally surrounds the cord, including any type of sleeve, jacket, sheath, tubing or the like made of any type of material capable of elastic deformation.       
 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C which show elevation, top and cross- sectional views, respectively, of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. A cord  12  is extended from an electronic device, such as from a power adapter  14 . A plug element  12   a  is connected to the distal end of the cord  12 . Apparatus  10  includes a sheath  16  defining a passage  18  through which the cord  12  extends. The sheath  16  is configured to stretch and retract as more fully set forth herein. An internal surface  20  of the sheath  16  is defined by the passage  18 , and at least a portion of the internal surface  20  is engaged with at least a portion of the cord  12 . As can be seen is  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, the width (Ws) of the sheath  16  is greater than the height (Hs) of the sheath  16  and the width (Wc) of the cord  12  is greater than the height (Hc) of the cord  12 , such that both the sheath  16  and the cord  12  are considered flat for purposes hereof. 
         [0022]    A clip  22  extends at least partially circumferentially about an end portion  16   a  of the sheath  16  and the proximal end portion of the cord  12  disposed within the end portion  16   a  of the sheath  16 , clamping the end portion  16   a  of the sheath  16  against the proximal end portion of the cord  12  and thereby substantially fixing the end portion  16   a  of sheath  16  relative to the cord  12 . 
         [0023]    A fitting  24  is generally in the form of an annular member through which the cable  12  extends and is partially inserted into the passage  18  at an end portion  16   b  of the sheath  16  so that the sheath  16  grips the fitting, thereby connecting and securing the fitting  24  to the sheath  16 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1C , the fitting  24  may be used to prevent rotation about the longitudinal axis of the flat cord  12  within the elastic sheath  16 , such as twisting clockwise or counter-clockwise of the flat cord  12  during the storage cycle. The fitting  24  may utilize a slit entrance  26 . In one embodiment, the slit entrance  26  may prevent the flat cord  26  from twisting during the release and storage cycle and may keep the undulation of the stored cord  12  uniform. 
         [0024]    In use, the sheath  16  may be in the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, with the sheath  16  in a crumpled condition and large amount, or the majority, of the cord  12  at least partially crumpled and disposed within the passage  18 . The opening  26  aligns the cord and the internal surface  20  of the sheath  16  engages the cord  12  at several points along the longitudinal length of the sheath  16  so that at least portions of the sheath  16  conform to and/or grip the corresponding portions of the cord  12 , thereby resisting rotational movement between the sheath  16  and the cord  12 . Because the flat cord  12  and the flat sheath  16  remain in substantial alignment during use, it is possible to imprint messages, logos, indicia, marking and the like along the width of the sheath  16 , the cord  12 , or both. 
         [0025]    When desired, the sheath  16  may then be placed in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2  by moving the plug element  12   a  in a direction away from the fitting  24 , thereby reducing the amount of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  and defining a crumpled portion  16   c  and a relaxed portion  16   d  of the sheath  16 , although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relaxed portion  16   d  need not be entirely contiguous and that relaxed portions  16   d  may be interspersed with crumpled portions  16   c  at various times during use . The longitudinal lengths of the crumpled portion  16   c  and the relaxed portion  16   d  are dependent upon the amount of the portion of the cord  12  that moved out from the passage  18  of the sheath  16 . That is, as the plug element  12   a  is moved away from the fitting  24 , the cord  12  also travels through the fitting  24  and out of the passage  18  of the sheath  16 . As the cord  12  so travels, the cord  12  disengages from the corresponding portions of the internal surface  20  of the sheath  16  so that the corresponding portions of the sheath  16  no longer conform to and/or grip the cord  12 , thereby defining the longitudinal length of the relaxed portion  16   d  of the sheath  16 . The longitudinal length of the crumpled portion  16   c  of the sheath  16  is, in turn, defined by the longitudinal length of the relaxed portion  16   d  of the sheath  16 . 
         [0026]    As much of the cord  12  as desired may be moved out from the passage  18  of the sheath  16  for any desired reason such as, for example, initiating conventional operation of the power adapter  14  by inserting the plug element  12   a  into a receptacle (it is understood that the power adapter  14  may be plugged into a conventional power outlet to effect this conventional operation). The crumpled portion  16   c  of the sheath  16  continues to conform to and/or grip portions of the cord  12 , thereby continuing to resist relative rotation between the sheath  16  and the cord  12  thereby allowing the sheath  16  to retain a substantially flat configuration. 
         [0027]    If desired, the sheath  16  may then be placed in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 3  by continuing to move the plug element  12   a  in a direction away from the fitting  24  so that a minimum amount of the cord  12  is disposed within the passage  18  and a maximum amount of the cord  12  extends outside of the passage  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , no portion of the sheath  16  between the end portions  16   a  and  16   b  conforms to and/or grips any portion of the cord  12  and thus the entire length of the sheath  16  extending between the end portions  16   a  and  16   b  is in a relaxed condition. 
         [0028]    The amount of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16  may be varied as desired or as dictated by environmental constraints such as, for example, the position of the conventional power outlet to which the power adapter  14  is connected and the position of the receptacle into which the plug element  12   a  is inserted during the operation of the power adapter  14 . As the amount of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16  is varied, the amount of the cord  12  extending outside of the passage  18  is correspondingly varied. 
         [0029]    The flat cord&#39;s  12  geometry may facilitate an efficient and aesthetic method of storing the cord  12  within the sheath  16  in an undulating configuration. When the elastic sheath  16  is stretched and engages the cord  12 , such as during the storage cycle, the flexible flat cord  12  may be stored in a natural undulation and may present a tidy four sided tube in the storage configuration. 
         [0030]    The sheath  16  may be placed in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 4  by grasping the fitting  24  and/or the end portion  16   b  of the sheath  16  and moving it away from the clip  22  and the power adapter  14 , with the position of the end portion  16   a  of the sheath  16  and the clip  22  clamped therearound remaining substantially constant, thereby increasing the length of, and stretching the sheath  16  over, the cord  12 . Thus, an increased amount of the cord  12  is disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16 , in comparison to the amount of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 3 . Moreover, due to the stretching of the sheath  16 , the cross-sectional area of the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 4 , at one or more locations along the longitudinal length of the sheath  16 , is less than the cross-sectional area of the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 3 , at the corresponding one or more locations along the longitudinal length of the sheath  16 . 
         [0031]    The sheath  16  may be placed in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 5  by continuing to stretch the sheath  16  over the cord  12  so that length of the sheath  16  continues to increase and an increased amount of the cord  12  is disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16 , in comparison to the amount of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 4 . Moreover, due to the additional stretching of the sheath  16 , the cross-sectional area of the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 5 , at one or more locations along the longitudinal length of the sheath  16 , is less than the cross-sectional area of the passage  18  of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 4 , at the corresponding one or more locations along the longitudinal length of the sheath  16 . 
         [0032]    The sheath  16  may be placed in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 6  by permitting the sheath  16  to retract so that the fitting  24  moves from the position shown in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in  FIG. 6  and the length of the sheath  16  decreases. During retraction, at least a portion of the internal surface  20  of the sheath  16  engages at least a portion of the cord  12  so that the sheath  16  at least partially conforms to and/or grips the portion of the cord  12 . 
         [0033]    Due to the engagement between the internal surface  20  and the cord  12 , the portion of the cord  12  disposed within the passage  18  in the stretched configuration of  FIG. 5  remains oriented within the passage  18  as the sheath  16  is permitted to retract. Since the overall length of the sheath  16  decreases during the retraction, and the amount of the cord  12  within the passage  18  remains substantially constant, the internal surface  20  applies a force to the cord  12  to at least partially collapse, bunch together and/or crumple the cord  12  within the passage  18  of the sheath  16  during the retraction of the sheath  16  so that the cord  12  does not rotate within the sheath  16 . 
         [0034]    It is understood that length of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 6  may range from a length equal to about the length of the sheath in the configuration of  FIG. 3  to a length slightly less than the length of the sheath  16  in the configuration of  FIG. 5 . Further, it is understood that the sheath  16  is able to retract due to its elasticity and its being stretched within its elastic regime, in which case the deformation that the sheath  16  experiences during stretching is not permanent. Still further, it is understood that the sheath  16  may be permitted to retract in a variety of ways such as, for example, by grasping the end portion  16   b  and/or the fitting  24  and guiding the sheath  16  back to its relaxed configuration, or by letting go of the sheath  16  and allowing the sheath  16  to snap back to its relaxed configuration from its stretched configuration. 
         [0035]    While the present apparatus and method has been disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the expressions “in one embodiment” or “in another embodiment” are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the invention to those particular embodiment configurations. These terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and unless indicated otherwise, are combinable into aggregate embodiments. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “connected” means “communicatively connected” unless otherwise defined. 
         [0036]    When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device. 
         [0037]    In light of the wide variety of possible apparatuses and methods available for storing a cord within a sheath, the detailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, what is claimed as the invention is all such modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto. 
         [0038]    None of the description in this specification should be read as implying that any particular element, step or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope. The scope of the patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims and their equivalents. Unless explicitly recited, other aspects of the present invention as described in this specification do not limit the scope of the claims.