U.S. patent number RE32,820 [Application Number 07/098,927] was granted by the patent office on 1989-01-03 for electric cord holder assembly.
Invention is credited to Ronald M. Pollack.
United States Patent |
RE32,820 |
Pollack |
January 3, 1989 |
Electric cord holder assembly
Abstract
There is provided an electric cord holder assembly composed of a
connecting element for interconnecting the adjacent ends of two
electric cord holders to present an aesthetically pleasing
continuous electric cord holder. The connecting element is provided
with a dome-shaped configuration corresponding with the dome-shaped
configuration of the electric cord holders and is further provided
with bosses on the ends thereof which engage with the ends of the
dome-shape of the electric cord holders. When in place, the
connecting elements engage with the electric cord holders at their
adjacent ends to cover any space therebetween.
Inventors: |
Pollack; Ronald M. (Jackson
Heights, NY) |
Family
ID: |
23260124 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/098,927 |
Filed: |
September 21, 1987 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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443037 |
Nov 19, 1982 |
4454374 |
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323651 |
Nov 20, 1981 |
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Reissue of: |
557241 |
Dec 2, 1983 |
04563542 |
Jan 7, 1986 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/68.3;
174/72C |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/0431 (20130101); H02G 3/266 (20130101); H02G
3/0481 (20130101); H02G 3/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/04 (20060101); H02G 003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;174/48,49,68C,7C,72C,84S,97,101 ;138/157-163 ;285/64,121
;52/220,221,273,287,288,465,469,470,716,717,718 ;D13/13
;D25/75,79 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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950028 |
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Mar 1949 |
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FR |
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1368536 |
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Jun 1964 |
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FR |
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44703 |
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Apr 1966 |
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DD |
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Other References
"La-in" Catalog and Handbook, published by National Electric
Products Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, 1938, pp. 31-35 and
60..
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Primary Examiner: Askin; Laramie E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Collard, Roe & Galgano
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
443,037, filed Nov. 19, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,374, which in
turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
323,651, filed Nov. 20, 1981, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electric cord holder assembly, comprising:
at least two electric cord holder sections attachable to a surface
and having ends disposable adjacent one another, each section
comprising a .Iadd.one-piece .Iaddend.sheath made of an elongated
plastic extrusion having .[.a slotted tubular cross-section so as
to define.]. a cord-receiving channel therein, said sheath having
an arcuate dome-shaped resilient front wall having two ends .[.and
an overhang on one end thereof.]. and a planar rear wall
.[.extending from the other end of said front wall towards said one
end of said front wall, said rear wall having a free end leaving a
slot adapted for insertion of an electrical cord into said
cordreceiving channel between said free end of said rear wall and
said one end of said front wall.]., said rear wall having an inner
face which partially defines said cord-receiving channel and an
outer face, and securing means composed of an adhesive strip of
predetermined width having a generally planar outer surface
connected to said outer face of said rear wall and adapted to be
attached to a surface, and
a plastic connecting element for interconnecting adjacent ends of
said sections and covering the space therebetween comprising an
elongated segment having an arcuate dome-shaped resilient wall
which substantially corresponds with the arcuate dome-shaped front
.[.wall.]. .Iadd.walls .Iaddend.of said sheaths so as to fit
thereover and having at least two ends each of which is provided
with bosses extending towards each other, said bosses defining
therebetween a space smaller than the width of said arcuate
dome-shaped front walls of said sheaths, said bosses being adapted
to engage underneath said ends of said arcuate dome-shaped front
walls of said sheaths, said bosses including camming surfaces
disposed on their inner sides, and said camming surfaces providing
a releasable locking engagement between said connecting element and
said sections when said connecting element is pressed thereover so
that no discontinuity occurs between the adjacent ends of said
electric cord holder sections.
2. The electric cord holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein
each camming surface has a concave arcuate profile.
3. The electric cord holder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
the longitudinal ends of said connecting element are beveled.
4. The electric cord holder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
the inside dimension of said dome-shaped wall of said connecting
element is no greater than the outside dimensions of the
dome-shaped front walls of said electric cord holder sheaths.
5. The electric cord holder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
the inside dimension of said dome-shaped wall of said connecting
element is less than the outside dimensions of the dome-shaped
front walls of said electric cord holder sheaths.
6. The electric cord holder assembly of claim 1, wherein said
connecting element comprises at least two angularly-displaced leg
segments each having a free end portion and wherein said bosses are
provided only on said free end portions so as to increase the
flexibility of said connecting element.
7. The electric cord holder assembly of claim 1, wherein said
connecting element is T-shaped.
8. The electric cord holder assembly of claim 1, wherein said
connecting element is L-shaped.
9. The electric cord holder assembly of claim 1, wherein said
connecting element is L-shaped and is adapted for an inside
corner.
10. The electric cord holder assembly of claim 1, wherein said
connecting element is L-shaped and is adapted for an outside
corner.
Description
The present invention relates generally to an electric cord holder
assembly for the purpose of covering or concealing unsightly
hanging electric cords for electric appliances and maintaining such
cords securely held against a surface such as a wall. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an electric cord
holder assembly composed of a connecting element and two or more
electric cord holder sections as described in the above-identified
applications. The invention provides an aesthetic covering for
electric cords for electric appliances where discontinuities in the
cord holder sections are required.
In my earlier filed applications identified above, I have disclosed
an electric cord holder and cover which aesthetically covers or
conceals unsightly hanging electric cords for electric appliances.
Generally, electric appliances in the home and sometimes in office
surroundings are positioned away from electrical wall outlets so
that it is often necessary that the electric cords for such
appliances are visible when they are electrically connected to the
wall outlets. The electric cord holder and cover described in my
earlier filed applications provides an aesthetic, efficient and
inexpensive means for covering or concealing such unsightly
electric cords and firmly securing such cords to surfaces such as
walls, floors, etc. The electric cord holder and cover described
therein includes an elongated plastic extrusion of basically
tubular shape having a cross-section in the form of a substantially
C-shaped portion one end of which including an overhang and a
substantially planar portion extending inwardly from the end of the
C-shaped portion opposite the end having the overhang towards the
other end of the C-shaped portion having the overhang thus leaving
a slot therebetween adapted for insertion of the electrical cord.
Further included is a securing strip of predetermined width forming
the outer surface of said planar portion. The securing strip is
adapted to be adhered to a wall or floor surface to thereby secure
the electric cord holder and cover having the electric cord therein
to the wall or floor surface. The overhang of the one end of the
C-shaped portion extends outwardly to the plane defined by the
planar surface extending from the other end of the C-shaped portion
so as to be flush with the wall or floor surface when so
secured.
It has been found that such an electric cord holder serves the
purpose of which it is intended very satisfactorily. However, some
disadvantages have been encountered. It has been found that in
situations where it is necessary that the electric cord extend
between discontinuous surfaces such as in the corner of a room or
where a wall meets the floor, it is often necessary to miter the
ends of two lengths of electric cord holders so that an aesthetic
appearance is maintained in such areas. Also, it has been found
that when there is an exceptionally long electric cord requiring
more than one cord holder, it is often necessary to take care in
abutting the ends of the cord holders in order to preserve an
aesthetic appearance. It has also been found that in other
situations where a plurality of electric cords emanating from
different electrical appliances are to be joined in a single
electric cord holder, in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance
it was often necessary to expend an excessive amount of effort in
joining such electric cord holders so as to maintain such
appearance. In all of the above noted cases, as well as others
which have not herein been discussed, it has been found necessary
for the installer of the electric cord holder according to the
invention described in my earlier filed applications, whether he be
a layman or an expert in the field, in order to preserve the
aesthetic appearance desired in utilizing such an electric cord
holder, to expend additional effort and time over and above that
which should be necessary.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an
electric cord holder assembly which has the effect of preserving
the aesthetic appearance and ease of installation of the cord
holder in situations where such cord holders are discontinuous,
such as where the surface to which the cord holder is attached is
discontinuous as between adjoining walls or where a wall and a
floor meet or where the ends of two cord holders come together.
This object, as well as others which will hereinafter become
apparent, is accomplished in accordance with the present invention
by the provision of an electric cord holder connecting element to
be used together with an electric cord holder and cover as
described in my earlier filed patent applications as described
above. Such an element is constructed of plastic, having a
substantially C-shaped cross-section adapted to fit over the
substantially C-shaped cross-section of the above described
electric cord holder and is provided at its ends with inwardly
extending projections or bosses which may extend longitudinally for
the length of the element. The element is thus adapted because of
its resilient, spring-like nature to be positioned over an electric
cord holder as described and snapped into a position such that the
inwardly protruding bosses engage the ends of the C-shaped
cross-section of the holder. By the utilization of such an element,
therefore, it is possible to interconnect the adjacent ends of two
such electric cord holders so as to provide a continuous appearance
to the interrupted electric cord holder. An embodiment of such an
element can be utilized in situations in which the electric cord
holders as above described are positioned in a non-linear
discontinuous manner such as where two walls come together or where
a wall and a floor come together or where a ceiling and a wall come
together. In such cases, the elements are provided with non-linear
portions or segments which correspond to the discontinuities of the
adjoining electric cord holders. In another embodiment of the
present invention an electric cord holder connecting element is
provided for interconnecting the ends of two adjacent electric cord
holders which are secured to a discontinuous surface and which is
adjustable to accommodate differing angular positions between the
surfaces. Since in all cases the electric cord holder connecting
element of the present invention may be utilized together with the
electric cord holder according to my earlier filed applications,
the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein and made a part
hereof by reference.
The present invention will be described and understood more readily
when considered together with the embodiments shown in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view showing the ends of
two adjacent electric cord holders positioned on a planar surface
and an electric cord holder connecting element according to the
present invention before emplacement thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the electric
cord holder connecting element in place;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a partly exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the electric cord holder connecting element of the present
invention prior to emplacement interconnecting the ends of two
adjacent electric cord holders attached to discontinuous
surfaces;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the
electric cord holder connecting element in place;
FIG. 6 is a partly exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the electric cord holder connecting element according to the
present invention prior to emplacement interconnecting the two ends
of adjacent electric cord holders positioned angularly with respect
to each other;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the
electric cord holder connecting element in place;
FIG. 8 is a partly exploded perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the electric cord holder connecting element according
to the present invention prior to emplacement interconnecting the
adjacent ends of two electric cord holders attached to
discontinuous surfaces;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 8 showing the
electric cord holder connecting element in place;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the electric
cord holder connecting element according to the present invention
utilized when two electric cords are run together; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the electric
cord holder connecting element of the present invention for use
with discontinuous surfaces.
Now turning to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an electrical
cord, designated 10, such as is generally found in the home or
office which is generally connected to an electrical appliance (not
shown) and the other end of which is generally plugged into an
electrical wall outlet (not shown). In order to cover or conceal
the unsightliness of electrical cord 10 and also for the purpose of
holding the cord, electric cord holder and covers, designated 12
and 12', are utilized. Electric cord holder and covers 12 and 12'
are identical to each other in all respects and, therefore, a
description of one shall suffice to describe the other. Thus,
electric cord holder 12 consists of an elongated plastic extrusion
having a substantially C-shaped or dome-shaped form, designated 14,
as seen in an end view or cross-sectional view of the electric cord
holder. As seen in FIG. 3, one end, designated 16, of the C-shaped
form 14 is provided with an inwardly extending planar surface,
generally designated 18, which extends toward the other end,
designated 20, of the C-shaped form 14 and defines an electrical
cord insertion slot, designated 22, therebetween. The end 20 of
C-shaped form 14 is provided with an overhang so that it
substantially extends to the plane defined by planar surface 18.
Planar surface 18 of the electric cord holder is provided with a
securing strip, designated 24, of adhesive material which may
extend along the width and breadth of planar surface 18. As clearly
seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, electric cord 10 is inserted through the
electric cord receiving slot 22 of the electric cord holder and the
electric cord holder 12 or 12' is pressed against a surface such as
wall surface 26 and is adhered thereto by means of securing strip
24.
As clearly seen in FIG. 1, where two electric cord holders 12 and
12' are utilized in succession, their adjacent ends, designated 28
and 28', respectively, are likely to be spatially separated unless
extreme care is taken to eliminate any discontinuity between the
two electric cord holders. In order to obviate this problem, the
electric cord holder connecting element of the present invention,
generally designated 30, is provided. As clearly seen in FIGS. 1 to
3, connecting element 30 is provided with a generally C-shaped or
dome-shaped configuration, designated 32, which generally comports
or corresponds with the C-shaped form 14 of the electric cord
holder. The ends, designated 34 and 36, of the C-shaped
configuration 32 of element 30 are provided with bosses 38 and 40,
respectively, which extend inwardly towards each other. Connecting
element 30 is so dimensioned as to fit over the C-shaped form 14 of
the electric cord holder so that its ends 34 and 36 extend just
beyond the ends 16 and 20 of C-shaped form 14. The spatial distance
between bosses 38 and 40 is slightly less than the width of the
electric cord holder, as clearly demonstrated in FIG. 3 where the
connecting element is shown prior to emplacement in phantom. With
such a configuration, element 30 may be positioned over the space
established between the ends 28 and 28' of electric cord holders 12
and 12' and pressed or snapped into the position shown clearly in
FIGS. 2 and 3 where bosses 38 and 40 engage with ends 16 and 20 of
the electric cord holders. In order to accomplish this, it is
necessary that either or both connecting element 30 and the
electric cord holders be provided with resilient walls. Preferably,
connecting element 30 is formed of a plastic material which
inherently is provided with resiliency and memory. In order to
ensure a proper fit of connecting element 30 over the C-shaped form
14 of the electric cord holder, it is necessary that the inside
diameter or radius of element 30 be no greater than the outside
diameter or radius of C-shaped form 14 and preferably less than
this dimension.
For the purpose of facilitating the connecting and removal of
connecting element 30 with and from engagement with electric cord
holders 12 and 12', the inner sides of bosses 38 and 40 are
provided with a taper or cammed surfaces 42 and 44 which permit a
releasable locking engagement with the ends 16 and 20 of the
electric cord holder. In addition, for aesthetic appearances, the
ends 46 and 48 of connecting element 30 are beveled.
It is also possible to provide other engagement means than bosses
38 and 40, such as, for instance, a sawtoothed configuration, a
series of nubs along the inner surface of connecting element 30 or
any other means which ensures engagement.
In FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown another embodiment of the electric
cord holder and cover connecting element according to the present
invention, generally designated 130. As clearly seen, the electric
cord holders 12 and 12' are positioned on discontinuous surfaces,
designated 126 and 126', which meet at a corner, generally
designated 150. Such may be the situation in the corner of a room
where two adjacent walls meet or where a wall meets the floor or
ceiling of a room. In such a situation, connecting element 130 is
provided with a non-linear discontinuous configuration along its
length which substantially corresponds with the 90.degree. angle of
corner 150. Preferably, the angle between the two segments of
element 130 is slightly greater than 90.degree., preferably
93.degree., which permits greater flexibility of use since the
corners of walls are usually greater than 90.degree.. By the use of
such an element 130, which is snapped into engagement with electric
cord holders 12 and 12' in the same manner as such engagement is
accomplished in accordance with the embodiment described in
connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, it is possible to eliminate the need
for mitering the adjacent ends 28 and 28' of electric cord holders
12 and 12'. Thus, as clearly seen in FIG. 5, when connecting
element 130 is in place on electric cord holders 12 and 12'
covering the space between ends 28 and 28', an aesthetically
appealing continuous electric cord holder and cover is
provided.
Another embodiment of the electric cord holder connecting element
is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 where it is necessary for electric cord
10 to change direction on a planar surface 26 as where cord 10 is
placed on the floor of a room at or near a corner 150' defined by
wall surfaces 126 and 126'. In such a case, an electric cord holder
connecting element 230 is provided having a non-linear planar
configuration corresponding to corner 150'. Thus, as clearly seen
in FIG. 7 when connecting element 230 is in place engaging with the
adjacent ends 28 and 28' of electric cord holders 12 and 12', an
aesthetically pleasing continuous electric cord holder and cover is
again provided.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the electric cord holder
connecting element is shown, designated 330, which is utilized in a
situation where the surfaces to which electric cord holders 12 and
12' are connected are discontinuous but unlike the corner shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, in this case the corner forms an angle of
270.degree. rather than 90.degree.. Again, as seen in FIG. 9, when
connecting element 330 is in place engaging the ends 28 and 28' of
electric cord holders 12 and 12', an aesthetically pleasing
appearance is imparted to the corner encountered by the electric
cord holder without the need for mitering the ends 28 and 28'.
In FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of the electric cord holder
connecting element of the present invention, designated 430, is
shown. Connecting element 430 is T-shaped and may be utilized in a
situation where two electric cords emanating from different sources
are encased in separate electric cord holders which meet at a
90.degree. angle and thereafter the electric cords are run
together. Thus, connecting element 430 is provided with one
continuous segment, designated 452, and a second segment,
designated 454, which intersects segment 452 at a 90.degree. angle
and which may be in the same plane as segment 452. Thus, again when
such a connecting element 430 is utilized in an appropriate
situation, an aesthetically pleasing result is achieved.
In FIG. 11, there is shown still another embodiment of the electric
cord holder connecting element of the present invention, designated
530, which may be utilized in situations where the surfaces to
which the electric cord holders are adhered are non-linear and
non-continuous, such as is described in connection with the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In addition, connecting element
530 may also be utilized in situations where the electric cord
holders are positioned on a linear surface such as is described in
connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Thus,
connecting element 530 is provided along its length, preferably
near its center portion with a flexible segment designated 556.
Flexible segment 556 may be accordion-like in order to impart
flexibility thereto. As indicated, such a connecting element 530
may be utilized in various corner arrangements in which the
electric cord holder is used.
In cases where the connecting element is provided with a bend,
e.g., as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 8, it is
preferable to provide a rounded edge to the bend to thereby
increase the flexibility thereat. Also, it is preferable in the
non-linear connecting elements to have the engagement bosses extend
only in the end regions of the elements rather than throughout
their length. These features permit the user to enlarge the angle
of the bend of the connecting element to conform to the exact angle
of the corner which is typically not a pefect 90.degree. (for
example, it could be between 88.degree.-97.degree.).
It is to be understood that the foregoing general and detailed
descriptions are explanatory of the present invention and are not
to be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *