U.S. patent application number 11/377264 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for storage bag for reels.
Invention is credited to Limber Jamie.
Application Number | 20060157366 11/377264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37037518 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060157366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jamie; Limber |
July 20, 2006 |
Storage bag for reels
Abstract
A kit comprising a storage bag containing at least two reels for
linear elements. The storage bag comprises a body element and at
least one end element, which is sized to receive at least one
storage reel, and a releasable connection mechanism that connects
each of the at least one end elements with matching openings in the
body element. Preferably, the storage bag will have one end element
and is a soft flexible storage bag. The storage bag of the present
invention is tubular in shape with a circular cross section and one
end element connected to one end of the tubular shape by a
connection mechanism.
Inventors: |
Jamie; Limber; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
The Halvorson Law Firm
Ste 130
1757 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert
AZ
85233
US
|
Family ID: |
37037518 |
Appl. No.: |
11/377264 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29188574 |
Aug 20, 2003 |
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11377264 |
Mar 15, 2006 |
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29230334 |
May 18, 2005 |
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11377264 |
Mar 15, 2006 |
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29230335 |
May 18, 2005 |
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11377264 |
Mar 15, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A45C 13/103 20130101; A45C 2005/035 20130101; A45C 5/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/389 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/67 20060101
B65D085/67 |
Claims
1. A kit for storing flexible linear elements comprising a storage
bag and at least two reels that are sized to fit within the storage
bag, said reels capable of holding flexible linear elements.
2. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the storage bag comprises a
body element and at least one end element, which is sized to
receive at least one storage reel, and a releasable connection
mechanism that connects each of the at least one end elements with
matching openings in the body element.
3. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the storage bag further
comprises an internal skeleton and a flexible sheath.
4. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the storage bag further
comprises at least one handle attached to an end of the storage
bag.
5. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the storage bag further
comprises at least one body strap attached at a mid section of the
storage bag.
6. The kit according to claim 3 wherein the storage bag further
comprises at least one handle attached to an end of the storage
bag.
7. The kit according to claim 3 wherein the storage bag further
comprises at least one body strap attached at a mid section of the
storage bag.
8. The kit according to claim 2 further comprising 2 reels.
9. The kit according to claim 2 further comprising 3 reels.
10. The kit according to claim 2 further comprising 4 reels.
11. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising 2 reels.
12. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising 3 reels.
13. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising 4 reels.
14. The kit according to claim 6 further comprising 2 reels.
15. The kit according to claim 6 further comprising 3 reels.
16. The kit according to claim 6 further comprising 4 reels.
17. The kit according to claim 7 further comprising 2 reels.
18. The kit according to claim 7 further comprising 3 reels.
19. The kit according to claim 7 further comprising 4 reels.
Description
This application is a continuation of pending applications
29/188,574, filed on Aug. 20, 2003; 29/230,335, filed on May 18,
2005; and 29/230,334, filed on May 18, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of reels for
flexible linear elements, such as light strings, extension cords
and the like. More specifically, the present invention is a kit of
multiple storage reels contained with a storage bag.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the art of storing flexible linear elements, such as
light strings, extension cords and the like, there are a few common
methods that are acknowledged as being unsatisfactory. Principle
among these are merely wadding the linear elements and shoving them
onto a shelf or the like. The main disadvantage of this method is
the wadding of the linear element typically creates tangles that
need to be unscrambled the next time the linear element is
used.
[0003] Second among these are wrapping the linear elements around a
reel of a sort and storing the wrapped reel on a shelf or the like.
This had disadvantages when trying to store multiple wrapped reels,
where the multiple reels may be separated and/or lost or they may
intertangle.
[0004] Thus there is a need for a product for the storage of
multiple reels for linear elements, both when the multiple reels
are empty or when they contain wrapped linear elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
storage bag that contains multiple storage reels.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
storage bag that contains multiple storage reels have flexible
linear element wrapped around the storage reels.
[0007] The novel features that are considered characteristic of the
invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its
operation together with the additional object and advantages
thereof will best be understood from the following description of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically
noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the
specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed
meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts.
If any other meaning is intended, the specification will
specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a
word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words "function" or
"means" in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended
to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if
the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6, are sought to
be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically
state the phrases "means for"or "step for" and a function, without
also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in
support of the function. Even when the claims recite a "means
for"or "step for" performing a function, if they also recite any
structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then
the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35
U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the
inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only
to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in
the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all
structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function,
along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent
structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed
function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the four piece bag for
storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the four piece bag for storage of
reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a second side view of the four piece bag for
storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an end view of the four piece bag for storage of
reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a second end view of the four piece bag for
storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the four piece bag for storage of
reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the four piece bag for storage of
reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway view of the four piece bag' for
storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present
invention, illustrating the placement of the storage of reels
containing light strings within the bag;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway side view of the four piece bag
for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the
present invention, illustrating the placement of the storage reels
containing light strings within the bag.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention is useful for storing multiple reels
for linear elements, such as extension cords, Christmas light
strings, cords, cables, yarn string and other flexible linear
elements.
[0018] With reference to the figures, the present invention is a
kit 10 comprising a storage bag 12 that contains at least two reels
20 for linear elements 30.
[0019] The storage bag 12 of the present invention comprises a body
element 12 and at least one end element 14, which is sized to
receive at least one storage reel, and a releasable connection
mechanism 16 that connects each of the at least one end elements 14
with matching openings in the body element 12. Preferably, the
storage bag will have one end element 14, but multiple end elements
14 are considered and fall within the scope of the present
invention. Further, it is preferred that the storage bag 12 of the
present invention is a soft flexible storage bag, preferably made
from a fabric or other woven material. Alternate embodiments
include, but are not limited to, storage bags that have an internal
skeleton and a flexible sheath, rigid storage bags, quasi-flexible
storage bags and the like. In the preferred embodiment the storage
bag 12 of the present invention is tubular in shape with a circular
cross section and one end element 14 connected to one end of the
tubular shape by a connection mechanism 16 such as zipper hook and
loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and the like. In this configuration,
multiple round storage reels 12 may be stacked end-on-end within
the storage bag 12. Alternate shapes for the storage bag 12, such
as rectangular prisms with square cross sections that can contain
multiple reels side-by-side, are considered to fall within the
scope of the present invention. Further, in yet another embodiment
the storage bag 12 may be configured to contain multiple reels
end-on-end and side-by-side. Finally, the storage bags 12 of the
present invention preferably include at least one handle 18, which
may be an end strap or preferably two body straps that support the
volume of the storage bag 12.
[0020] The multiple reels 20 for the kit 10 of the present
invention are preferably cylindrical in shape with a core tube 22
that connects two circular ends 24. Spanning the inner diameter of
the core tube is preferably a handle element (not shown) for
gripping the reel while winding the linear element around the reel.
Alternate reel shapes, such a rectangular, square, octagonal, star
or D-shape are considered to fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0021] Finally, in one embodiment the kit according to the present
invention is provided with linear elements wrapped around the
storage reels, but an alternate embodiment has the kit without
linear elements wrapped around the storage reels.
[0022] The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above
in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While
these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is
understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications
and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described
herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the
purview of this description are intended to be included therein as
well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the
inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims
be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary
skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a
preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the
applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented
and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description.
It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to
the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations
are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment
was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of
the invention and its practical application and to enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
* * * * *