U.S. patent application number 11/198865 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for retractable cord device for storing a separate cord and method of storing the same.
Invention is credited to Darko Gojanovic, Milan Pavlinic.
Application Number | 20060027697 11/198865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35756497 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060027697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gojanovic; Darko ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Retractable cord device for storing a separate cord and method of
storing the same
Abstract
A retractable cord device for storing a separate cord within the
device includes a main body and a coiling mechanism coupled to the
main body. The coiling mechanism includes a coil drum having a slot
formed therein. The slot is constructed and arranged for receiving
the separate cord therein. The coiling mechanism further includes a
coil coupled to the coil drum and the main body. Upon placing the
separate cord in the slot of the coil drum, the coil rotates the
coil drum to draw the separate cord within the main body. A method
for storing a separate cord within a retractable cord device is
further disclosed.
Inventors: |
Gojanovic; Darko;
(Worcester, MA) ; Pavlinic; Milan; (Somerville,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWRIE, LANDO & ANASTASI
RIVERFRONT OFFICE
ONE MAIN STREET, ELEVENTH FLOOR
CAMBRIDGE
MA
02142
US
|
Family ID: |
35756497 |
Appl. No.: |
11/198865 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60598949 |
Aug 5, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/388.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 11/02 20130101;
B65H 75/4434 20130101; B65H 2701/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/388.1 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/38 20060101
B65H075/38 |
Claims
1. A retractable cord device for storing a separate cord within the
device, the retractable cord device comprising: a main body; and a
coiling mechanism coupled to the main body, the coiling mechanism
being constructed and arranged to receive and coil the separate
cord within the main body; wherein upon placing the separate cord
in the coiling mechanism, the coiling mechanism being adapted to
draw the separate cord within the main body.
2. The retractable cord device of claim 1, further comprising a
cover releasably secured to the main body.
3. The retractable cord device of claim 2, wherein the cover
includes at least two latching prongs, and wherein the main body
includes at least two latching prong recesses configured to receive
the latching prongs therein.
4. The retractable cord device of claim 1, wherein the coiling
mechanism comprises a coil drum having a slot formed therein, the
slot being constructed and arranged for receiving the separate cord
therein, and a coil coupled to the coil drum and the main body.
5. The retractable cord device of claim 4, wherein the main body
includes a coil drum seat configured to receive the coil drum
therein.
6. The retractable cord device of claim 4, further comprising a
locking assembly coupled to the main body, the locking assembly
being constructed and arranged to releasably lock the coil drum in
place.
7. The retractable cord device of claim 6, wherein the coil drum
includes a groove formed around a circumference of the coil drum,
and wherein the locking assembly includes a latch pin that is
positioned to travel within the groove of the coil drum and a
locking notch to releasably lock the latch pin in place.
8. The retractable cord device of claim 7, wherein the coil drum
further includes a coil stem having the slot formed therein,
wherein the separate cord is wrapped around the coil stem when
rotating the coil drum.
9. A method of storing a separate cord within a retractable cord
device, the method comprising: providing a separate cord; providing
a retractable cord device comprising a main body, and a coiling
mechanism coupled to the main body, the coiling mechanism including
a coil drum having a slot formed therein, the slot being
constructed and arranged for receiving the separate cord therein,
and a coil coupled to the coil drum and the main body; placing the
separate cord in the slot of the coil drum; and rotating the coil
drum to draw the separate cord within the main body.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising releasably locking
the cord at a desired length.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/598,949,
entitled "RETRACTABLE CORD DEVICE FOR STORING A SEPARATE CORD AND
METHOD OF DOING THE SAME," filed on Aug. 5, 2004, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cord storage device, and
more particularly, to a retractable cord device for storing a cord
that is separate from the device.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] Devices for coiling and storing retractable cords, such as
cords used to connect computers, phones and similar equipment, for
example, are well known in the art. Such devices, however,
typically provide a cord that is integral with the device. For
example, a device having a plastic casing which houses a cord
having at least one end accessible at an end of the casing can be
extended by drawing the end of the cord away from the casing. The
result of this pulling motion is that the cord extends from the
casing. By stopping the pulling motion, the cord is typically
locked in place for use. The cord is then retracted back into the
cover by simply pulling one of the ends of the cord whereby a
coiling mechanism draws the cord back into the casing for
storage.
[0006] Anyone who has traveled can appreciate that loose cords are
particularly difficult to store and are often too long for their
intended use. There is presently a need for a device capable of
storing a cord that is separate from the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a retractable cord device for storing a separate cord within the
device comprises a main body and a coiling mechanism coupled to the
main body. The coiling mechanism being constructed and arranged to
receive and coil the separate cord within the main body. Upon
placing the separate cord in the coiling mechanism, the coiling
mechanism is adapted to draw the separate cord within the main
body.
[0008] Other embodiments include a cover releasably secured to the
main body. Specifically, the cover includes at least two latching
prongs, and the main body includes at least two latching prong
recesses configured to receive the latching prongs therein.
[0009] In other embodiments, the coiling mechanism includes a coil
drum having a slot formed therein. The slot is constructed and
arranged for receiving the separate cord therein. The coiling
mechanism further includes a coil coupled to the coil drum and the
main body. The main body includes a coil drum seat configured to
receive the coil drum therein. A locking assembly is coupled to the
main body. The locking assembly is constructed and arranged to
releasably lock the coil drum in place. The coil drum has a groove
formed around a circumference of the coil drum, and the locking
assembly includes a latch pin that is positioned to travel within
the groove of the coil drum and a locking notch to releasably lock
the latch pin in place. The coil drum includes a coil stem having
the slot formed therein. During use, the separate cord is wrapped
around the coil stem when rotating the coil drum.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a method of storing a separate cord within a retractable
cord device comprises providing a separate cord; providing a
retractable cord device comprising a main body, and a coiling
mechanism coupled to the main body, the coiling mechanism including
a coil drum having a slot formed therein, the slot being
constructed and arranged for receiving the separate cord therein,
and a coil coupled to the coil drum and the main body; placing the
separate cord in the slot of the coil drum; and rotating the coil
drum to draw the separate cord within the main body. In one
embodiment, the method further comprises releasably locking the
cord at a desired length.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retractable cord device in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with a
cover member of the device removed to reveal components housed
within a main body of the device;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retractable cord device
illustrated in FIG. 1 having the cover member inserted in
place;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the retractable
cord device;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the retractable cord
device;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the retractable cord
device;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the retractable cord device
with the cover member removed;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the retractable cord
device;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an end view of the retractable cord device;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable cord
device illustrated in FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the retractable cord device;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable cord
device illustrated in FIG. 10; and
[0022] FIGS. 12 and 13 are modeled images of the retractable cord
device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] This invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having," "containing," "involving," and
variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0024] Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, there is generally indicated at 5
a retractable cord device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The retractable cord device 5 is designed to
store a separately provided cord 70 within the device. The device 5
includes a main body or housing 10 and a cover member 20 that, in
the shown embodiment, is adapted to be releasably secured to the
main body to capture the components of the device within the main
body. The main body 10 includes an axle pin 12, a coil drum recess
14, a cord slot 16, latching prong recesses 18 and a locking arm
seat 19. These components and features of the retractable cord
device 5 will be described in further detail below.
[0025] The cover member 20 has a circular bearing groove 22 that is
formed in the center of the bottom facing surface of the cover
member, and two pairs of latching prongs 24 designed to snap fit
within the latching prong recesses 18 formed in the main body 10 to
releasably secure the cover member to the main body. It should be
noted that any type of releasable fastener may be utilized to
releasably secure the cover member 20 to the main body 10, and that
the provision of the latching prongs 26 and latching prong recesses
18 is but one way to achieve this function. FIG. 2 illustrates the
device 5 with the cover 20 attached to the main body, wherein the
cover is designed to secure the working components of the device
within the main body 10. As shown, one pair of latching prongs 24
is provided at one end of the underside of the cover member 20, and
another pair of latching prongs 24 is provided at the other end of
the cover member. The arrangement is such that each pair of locking
prongs defines a cord traveling slot 26 between the latching prongs
24, through which, along with the cord slot 16, a separately
provided cord 70 is received.
[0026] The device 5 further includes a coiling mechanism to coil
the cord within the device after securing the cord 70 to the
device. The coiling mechanism comprises a coil drum 30 having a
cord coiling stem 32 and a cord receiver slot 34. The coiling
mechanism further includes a coil 50 designed to fit within a
downwardly opening cavity or pocket (not shown) formed in the
bottom of the coil drum 30. The arrangement is such that one end of
the coil 50 is secured to the axle pin 12 and the other end of the
coil is secured to the coil drum 30 when placing the coil drum over
the axle pin. Specifically, when the retractable cord device is
assembled, the spring coil 50 is inserted into the pocket of the
coil drum 30, with one end of the spring coil 50 secured to the
inner face perimeter wall of the coil drum and the other end of the
spring coil inserted into a slot formed in the axle pin 12.
[0027] With particular reference to FIG. 3, formed along a
circumferential edge of the coil drum 30 is a bi-forked groove 36
with a locking notch 38. The locking action of the coil drum 30
with respect to the main body 10 is achieved by a locking arm
assembly 60 of the coiling mechanism. The locking arm assembly 60
includes a base block 62, a spring arm 64, a spring head 66, and a
latch pin 68. As the coil drum 30 rotates as a result of pulling
the cord 70, the latch pin 68 tracks the bi-forked groove 36, and
during its travel along the groove (either clockwise or
counterclockwise, depending on the direction of bias of the coil
50) the latch pin 68 is seated within the locking notch 38. The
result is the engagement of the latch pin 68 and the coil drum 30
within the locking notch 38, which restricts the return of the cord
70 within the device 5. Upon lightly pulling or tugging the cord
70, the latch pin 68 releases the coil drum 30 at the locking notch
38, and the coil drum can freely rotate to either extend or retract
the cord, depending on the direction of the stored energy of the
coil 50. The locking arm assembly 60 is imbedded within the locking
arm seat 19 of the main body 10, the locking arm seat being
oriented at an approximately 45.degree. angle with respect to a
long axis defined by the main body.
[0028] FIG. 3 best illustrates the coil drum 30 having a larger
circular body with the aforementioned cylindrical pocket to receive
the spring coil 50, and the cord stem 32 having the cord receiver
slot 34. Within the pocket of the coil drum 30, there is formed a
conical convex recess that is shaped to sit tightly on the axle pin
12. Once the coiling mechanism is assembled within the main body
10, a coil drum cover plate 40 is provided to secure the coil drum
30 and the other components of the coiling mechanism within the
main body drum recess 14.
[0029] The retractable cord device 5 is fully assembled when the
coil drum 30 and the spring coil 50 are placed within the main body
drum coil recess 14 on top of the conically-shaped axle pin 12. The
locking arm assembly 60 is positioned within the locking arm seat
19 and the coil drum cover plate 40 is installed on top of the coil
drum recess. The cover plate 40 may be secured to the main body by
an adhesive, for example. In this position, the cover plate 40 is
aligned with the long axis of the main body 10.
[0030] In one embodiment, the cover member 20 may be provided to a
user in a configuration in which the cover plate is separate from
the main body 10. The user inserts the cord 70 into the cord
receiver slot 34 of the cord coiling stem 32 at the midpoint of the
cord 70. The user then winds the cord counterclockwise (or
clockwise depending on the configuration of the coil 50) at least
once around the stem, and positions the whips of the cord into the
cord slots 16. Next, the user installs the cover member 20 onto the
main body 10. The cord coil stem 32 is positioned within the
circular bearing groove 22 of the cover member 20, and by inserting
and snap-fitting the pairs of latching prongs 24 into the latching
prong recesses 18, the cover member is secured to the main body 10.
Once assembled, the retractable cord device is ready for its
intended use.
[0031] The retractable cord device 5 is used by simply pulling the
cord 70 simultaneously in opposite directions to a desired cord
length. Once extended, the locking arm assembly 60 maintains the
extension of the cord 70 at the desired length. The cord 70 is
retracted into a coiled position around the coil drum 30 by simply
tugging one of the cord's ends thereby releasing the latch pin 68
of the locking arm assembly 60 from the locking notch 38 provided
on the coil drum.
[0032] Reference may be made to FIGS. 4-13 for views showing
certain aspects of the present invention as previously described.
It should be appreciated that a person having ordinary skill in the
art, given the benefit of the present invention, can employ any
number of design choices to achieve the purpose of the present
invention.
[0033] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
* * * * *