U.S. patent application number 11/603798 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-07 for cord management systems.
Invention is credited to Michael E. Brown.
Application Number | 20070124895 11/603798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38117259 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070124895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Michael E. |
June 7, 2007 |
Cord management systems
Abstract
Cord management systems comprise a housing unit comprising at
least one compartment for receiving at least one electronic device
with a cord and a means for managing the cord of the at least one
electronic device, wherein the means for managing comprises at
least one passageway that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit. are provided.
Inventors: |
Brown; Michael E.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DINSMORE & SHOHL, LLP
1900 CHEMED CENTER
255 EAST FIFTH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
38117259 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603798 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60739051 |
Nov 22, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/16PB |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1498 20150115;
A47B 96/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/016.0PB |
International
Class: |
B65D 67/02 20060101
B65D067/02 |
Claims
1. A cord management system comprising a housing unit comprising at
least one compartment for receiving at least one electronic device
with a cord and a means for managing the cord of the at least one
electronic device, wherein the means for managing comprises at
least one passageway that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit.
2. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the cord of the
at least one electronic device is removable from or fixed to the at
least one electronic device.
3. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
passageway comprises an opening, a hole, a slot, a recess, or any
combination thereof.
4. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the housing unit
further comprises a cord storage compartment that is in
communication with the at least one passageway that is in
communication with the at least one compartment of the housing
unit.
5. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the cord
management system comprises a second means for managing the cord of
the at least one electronic device.
6. The cord management system of claim 5, wherein the second means
for managing the cord of the at least one electronic device
comprises pegs, straps, snaps, velcro, twist ties, wire, string,
ribbon, molded pieces, cord winders, sleeves, tubes, clamps, cable
managers, cord clips, bundlers or any combination thereof.
7. The cord management system of claim 4, wherein the second means
for managing the cord of the at least one electronic device is
located within the cord storage compartment.
8. The cord management system of claim 1, further comprising one or
more radio, LED indicator light, clock, alarm, removable light
source, non-removable light source, CD player, tape player,
eyeglass compartment, pen/pencil holder, paperclip holder,
envelope/paper organizer, storage compartment, drawer, slot, tray,
or any combination thereof.
9. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the housing unit
is adapted to be mounted and/or stored on a table, desktop, under a
cabinet, under a shelf, on a wall, on another vertical surface, in
a briefcase, on a car dashboard, on a console or any combination
thereof.
10. The cord management system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one organizational storage compartment.
11. The cord management system of claim 1, further comprising a
power source.
12. The cord management system of claim 4, wherein a power source
is positioned in the cord storage compartment.
13. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the
configuration of the at least one compartment for receiving the at
least one electronic device with a cord comprises a tray, a bay, a
tube, a box, a bowl, a pull-out drawer, a flip-down drawer, a
flip-up drawer, a locker, a cabinet, a slot or any combination
thereof.
14. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
compartment for receiving the at least one electronic device
comprises means for securing the at least one electronic device
within the compartment to securely position the at least one
electronic device within the at least one compartment.
15. The cord management system of claim 14, wherein the means for
securing the at least one electronic device within the compartment
comprises pads, grooves, cups, slots, docks, straps, adjustable
straps, dividers, adjustable dividers, adjustable-sliding rails, or
any combinations thereof.
16. A cord management system comprising a housing unit comprising
at least one compartment for receiving at least one electronic
device with a cord; a first means for managing the cord of the at
least one electronic device, wherein the first means for managing
comprises at least one passageway that is in communication with the
at least one compartment of the housing unit; a cord storage
compartment that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit; and a second means for managing
the cord of the at least one electronic device.
17. The cord management system of claim 16, further comprising one
or more radio, LED indicator light, clock, alarm, removable light
source, non-removable light source, CD player, tape player,
eyeglass compartment, pen/pencil holder, paperclip holder,
envelope/paper organizer, storage compartment, drawer, slot, tray,
or any combination thereof.
18. The cord management system of claim 16, wherein the housing
unit is adapted to be mounted and/or stored on a table, desktop,
under a cabinet, under a shelf, on a wall, on a vertical surface,
in a briefcase, car dashboard, console or any combination
thereof.
19. The cord management system of claim 16, further comprising at
least one organizational storage compartment.
20. A cord management system comprising a housing unit comprising
two or more compartments for receiving at least one electronic
device with a cord; a means for managing the cord of the at least
one electronic device, wherein the means for managing comprises at
least one passageway that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit; and a cord storage compartment
that is in communication with the at least one compartment of the
housing unit; and a power source.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to cord management
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Every day new and better technology is introduced on the
market to make a consumers life a little easier. Consumers buy, use
and eventually become dependent upon these new technologies.
Eventually, consumers are overcome with the multitude of electronic
devices and the cords required to give them power and/or to
recharge their batteries. Counter tops, shelves, homes and offices
are littered with the cords associated with these electronic
devices. Not only are the cords aesthetically displeasing, but the
cords also cause safety hazards.
[0003] There have been attempts to alleviate both of these
problems, but the success has been limited. Historically, cord
management systems have focused on bundling cords together through
the use of clips, Velcro, ties, tubes, etc. These solutions,
however, leave either the bundled cords visible or leave visible a
device, which is obviously meant to hide the cords, and it is not
aesthetically pleasing. As such, there is a need in the art for
safe and aesthetically pleasing cord management systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to cord
management systems comprising a housing unit comprising at least
one compartment for receiving at least one electronic device with a
cord and a means for managing the cord of the at least one
electronic device, wherein the means for managing comprises at
least one passageway that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit.
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to
cord management systems comprising a housing unit comprising at
least one compartment for receiving at least one electronic device
with a cord; a first means for managing the cord of the at least
one electronic device, wherein the first means for managing
comprises at least one passageway that is in communication with the
at least one compartment of the housing unit; a cord storage
compartment that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit; and a second means for managing
the cord of the at least one electronic device.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention are further directed to
cord management systems comprising a housing unit comprising two or
more compartments for receiving at least one electronic device with
a cord; a means for managing the cord of the at least one
electronic device, wherein the means for managing comprises at
least one passageway that is in communication with the at least one
compartment of the housing unit; and a cord storage compartment
that is in communication with the at least one compartment of the
housing unit; and a power source.
[0007] Additional embodiments of the invention will be apparent
from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] While the specification concludes with claims which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention,
it is believed that the present invention will be better understood
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an embodiment of the cord management
system of the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate another embodiment of the cord
management system of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the cord management
system of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the cord management
system of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another embodiment of the cord
management system of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate another embodiment of the cord
management system of the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate another embodiment of the cord
management system of the present invention; and
[0016] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate another embodiment of the cord
management system of the present invention; and
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention is directed to cord management
systems. The cord management systems comprise a housing unit
comprising at least one compartment for receiving at least one
electronic device with a cord and a means for managing the cord of
the least one electronic device, wherein the means for managing
comprises at least one passageway that is in communication with the
at least one compartment of the housing unit. FIGS. 1A-1B
illustrate an embodiment of the cord management system in
accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
the cord management system 5 comprises a housing unit 10 comprising
at least one compartment 15 for receiving at least one electronic
device 20 with a cord 22 and a means 25 for managing the cord of
the least one electronic device 20.
[0018] One skilled in the art will appreciate the various
configurations for the housing unit and the at least one
compartment of the cord management system, any of which may be
employed herein. Embodiments of the configurations of the housing
unit 10 of the cord management system 5 are illustrated in FIGS.
1-9. In specific embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3, the
housing unit 10 of the cord management system 15 may comprise
multiple tiers of compartments 15. Configurations for the at least
one compartment of the cord management system include, but are not
limited to, trays, bays, tubes, boxes, bowls, pull-out drawers,
flip-down drawers, flip-up drawers, cabinets, lockers, slots or any
combination thereof. In one embodiment, as illustrated FIG. 3, the
cord management system 5 comprises at least one compartment 15 in
the configuration of a bay (FIG. 3A), at least one compartment 15
having a closure 17 which is adapted to flip-up and flip-down (FIG.
3B); and/or at least one compartment 15 configured as a pull-out
drawer 19 (FIG. 3C). FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a
cord management system 5 comprising at least one compartment 15
which is adapted to flip-up and flip-down. FIGS. 8A and 8C
illustrate a further embodiment of a cord management system 5
comprising a housing unit 10 which is configured to slide-out and a
compartment 15 which is adapted to slide-out and flip-down.
[0019] The at least one electronic device with a cord is received
in the at least one compartment of the housing unit. In one
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, each compartment 15 receives
one electronic device with a cord 20. In another embodiment, each
compartment may receive a plurality of electronic devices with
respective cords. One skilled in the art will appreciate the
various electronic devices with removable or fixed cords, any of
which may be employed herein. Examples include, but are not limited
to, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), telephones, mobile phones,
cellular phones, digital cameras, calculators, MP3 players, video
game consoles, hand-held game consoles, other portable electronic
devices, computers or any combination thereof. In addition to
receiving the at least one electronic device with a cord, the at
least one compartment may receive additional devices which may or
may not need cord management.
[0020] The cords that are associated with their respective
electronic devices may be numerous and varied in not only the size
and shape of the cord, but its functionality. In addition, the cord
associated with the electronic device may be removable from the
electronic device or may be fixed to the electronic device. For
example, a game console comprises a multitude of unsightly cords
that are removable from and fixed to the game console such as a
power cord, an internet cord, a television connection cord and a
high-definition cord. In addition, with electronic devices that are
not associated with more than one or two cords, when the electronic
device is combined with other electronic devices on a countertop or
shelf, for example, the cords quickly become aesthetically
displeasing. The cords associated with their respective electronic
devices therefore, may become intertwined and also may cause safety
hazards.
[0021] The cord management system comprises means for managing the
cord of the at least one electronic device received in the at least
one compartment of the housing unit, wherein the means for managing
comprises at least one passageway that is in communication with the
at least one compartment of the housing unit. One skilled in the
art will appreciate the various passageways that may be used to
manage the cord(s) of the electronic device(s), any of which may be
employed herein. The at least one passageway that is in
communication with the compartment may be positioned to communicate
with the compartment in any desired area of the compartment in
order to manage the cord of the at least one electronic device. In
addition, the at least one passageway that is in communication with
the compartment for managing the cord of the electronic device may
comprise various forms. Examples of the forms of the passageway
include, but are not limited to, openings, holes, slots, recesses,
or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, as illustrated, in
FIGS. 1B, 2B and 8A-8B, the passageway means for managing the cord
22 of the at least one electronic device 20 comprises at least one
opening 25 in communication with the compartment 15 for managing
the cord 22 of the least one electronic device 20. FIG. 4
illustrates another embodiment, wherein the at least one passageway
25 is in the form of a hole. FIG. 5A illustrates yet another
embodiment wherein the at least one passageway 25 is in the form of
a slot. The housing unit of the cord management system may further
comprise additional means for managing the cord of the at least one
electronic device. Such means, include, but are not limited to,
snaps, Velcro, straps, twist ties, ribbons or any combination
thereof.
[0022] The at least one compartment of the housing unit may
comprise means for securing the at least one electronic device
within the compartment to securely position the electronic device
within the compartment. One skilled in the art will appreciate the
various means for securing the at least one electronic device
within the compartment, any of which may be employed herein. Means
for securing include, but are not limited to, pads, grooves, cups,
slots, straps, adjustable straps, docks, dividers, adjustable
dividers, adjustable-sliding rails or any combination thereof. FIG.
2A illustrates an embodiment of means for securing the at least one
electronic device 20 in the compartment 15, wherein the at least
one electronic device 20 with a cord is secured in the compartment
15 with adjustable dividers 30 and pads 32.
[0023] The housing unit of the cord management system may also
comprise a cord storage compartment that is in communication with
the at least one passageway that is in communication with the at
least one compartment of the housing unit. In certain embodiments,
the cord storage compartment may be used to hide any portion or all
of the cord of the electronic device. In one embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 2B, the cord storage compartment 35 is in
communication with the at least one passageway 25 of the
compartment 15 and hides the cord 22 of the electronic device 20.
As with the housing unit, discussed in detail above, one skilled in
the art will appreciate the various configurations for the cord
storage compartment, any of which may be employed herein.
Embodiments of configurations of cord storage compartments 35 are
illustrated in FIGS. 2-5.
[0024] The cord management system may also comprise a second means
for managing the cord of the at least one electronic device. One
skilled in the art will appreciate the various means for managing
the cord of the at least one electronic device, any of which may be
employed herein. Examples include, but are not limited to, pegs,
straps, snaps, Velcro, wire, strings, ribbons, molded pieces, cord
winders, sleeves, tubes, tracks, channels, clamps, twist ties,
cable managers, cord clips, bundlers or any combination
thereof.
[0025] The cord management system may comprise additional
components, which may or may not need cord management. One skilled
in the art will appreciate the various components, any of which may
be employed herein. Examples include, but are not limited to, LED
indicator lights, clocks, radios, alarms, removable and
non-removable lights, CD player, tape player, eyeglass
compartments, pen/pencil holder, paperclip holder, envelope/paper
organizer, storage compartments, drawers, slots, trays, or a
combination thereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8B, the cord
management system 5 comprises at least one LED indicator light 42.
FIGS. 1A and 2A illustrate embodiments of cord management systems 5
comprising additional storage compartments 44. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1A, 5A, 6A-6B and 7A-7C, the cord management system 5
comprises a light source 40. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 6, the light source 40 is removable and can also be used as a
book light 48. In the embodiments wherein the housing unit
comprises a light, the light source may comprise a single or
multiple light sources. In addition, the light source may be
movable and/or flexible and be provided on an arm and/or a
track.
[0026] As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2B, 5A-5B and 6B, the
cord management system 5 may also comprise a power source 46. One
skilled in the art will appreciate the various power sources, which
may be employed herein. Examples include, but are not limited to,
power strips, USB ports, individual plugs, batteries, rechargeable
batteries or a combination thereof. The power source may be
provided on the housing 10 or within the housing 10, for example in
a cord storage compartment or an additional compartment. The cord
management system may also comprise a universal adaptor and/or
circuit breaker.
[0027] The cord management system may be adapted to be mounted
and/or stored on any desired surface, including but limited to, a
table or desktop, under a cabinet or a shelf, on a wall, or other
vertical surface, in a briefcase, on a car dashboard, or a console,
or any combination thereof. FIG. 8 illustrates a cord management
system 5 which is adapted to be mounted under a cabinet or a shelf.
The cord management system may further comprise a handle and/or
wheels in order to facilitate in the transportation of the cord
management system. In addition, the cord management system may also
be stackable with one or more additional cord management
systems.
[0028] One skilled in the art will appreciate that various
materials may be used for the cord management system, any of which
may be employed herein. Such materials include, but are not limited
to, leather, faux leather, rattan, metal, wood, cardboard,
pressboard, plastic, glass or any combination thereof.
[0029] The cord management systems of the present invention manage
the cord of the electronic device to create aesthetically pleasing
and organized system for one or more electronic devices. As
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2A-2B, the cord 22 of the
electronic device 20 is managed in the passageway 25 that is
communication with the at least one compartment 30 and the cord
storage compartment 35 to create a cord management system 5 that
hides the cord 22 of the electronic device 20 from view.
[0030] The specific illustrations and embodiments described herein
are exemplary only in nature and are not intended to be limiting of
the invention defined by the claims. Further embodiments and
examples will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in
view of this specification and are within the scope of the claimed
invention.
* * * * *