CORD, CABLE AND ADAPTER/CHARGER ORGANIZER

Abstract

A cord organizer for electronic devices using an adapter and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device. The organizer includes a flat base with notches formed in opposed ends and a coupling element positioned on one surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the surface. The notches are positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter in a stored orientation. A wrap is affixed to the base and positioned to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/395,100 filed 10 May 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to organizers for the cables, AC cords and adapter/chargers for electronic devices, such as laptops and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the electronic industry many electronic devices, especially portable electronic devices, have AC cords and cables for plugging the devices into an AC outlet during certain periods of time (e.g. when an AC outlet is available and the user can spend some time at the location). Generally, the AC cord or cable has an adapter/charger associated with it, which converts the AC current to DC current at a voltage that can be used by the electronic device. Also, after the electronic device has been used in the portable (not plugged into an outlet) state for awhile it may be expedient or even necessary to recharge the batteries contained within the electronic device. Thus during periods of non-use the AC cord or cable and adapter/charger may be used to recharge the batteries.

As understood by users of these types of electronic devices, the AC cords and any cables used for interconnections and the like must generally be carried with the electronic device so as to be available for use when needed. Also, it is understood that the cables, AC cords and adapter/charger are difficult to store conveniently, remove from the storage orientation for use, and then return to the storage orientation. The cables and cords can become entangled and even knotted and at best are difficult to store conveniently so as to be readily available for use at any time.

Laptops and other electronic devices using AC adapters have become more popular and increasingly smaller. With the portability of laptops and other electronic devices, the importance of the portability of the adapter/chargers that go with them has become more important. However, the size of the adapter/chargers that go along with laptops and other electronic devices has not decreased much over the years. Also, the length of the cords and cables remains approximately the same for the convenience of plugging into an AC outlet that may be necessarily at some distance.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cord, cable and adapter/charger organizer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved organizer that conveniently stores bulky cables and cords with the adapter/charger in one convenient package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and aspects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a cord organizer is provided for electronic devices using an adapter and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device. The organizer includes a flat base with notches formed in opposed ends and a coupling element positioned on one surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the surface. The notches are positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter in a stored orientation. A wrap is affixed to the base and positioned to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped.

Desired objects and aspects of the instant invention are further achieved in accordance with a preferred method of storing an adapter for electronic devices and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device. The method includes the step of providing a flat base of generally rectangular stiff material having a first surface and a second opposed surface, the rectangular flat base defining an elongated direction with two opposed ends and a notch formed in each of the opposed ends, a coupling element positioned on the first surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the first surface, and an elongated wrap affixed to the base. The method further includes the steps of using the coupling element to removably affix the adapter to the first surface; wrapping the associated cords in the notches in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter, the notches being positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in the continuous wrapping direction; and positioning the wrap to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped, the wrap holding the cords firmly in the stored orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective simplified view of a cable, cord, and adapter/charger organizer in according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective simplified view of the cable, cord, and adapter/charger organizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top simplified view of the organizer of FIG. 1 with an adapter/charger and associated cord in a stored orientation;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective simplified view of the organizer of FIG. 1 with the adapter/charger and associated cord in a use or un-stored orientation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the organizer with an adapter/charger and associated cord in a stored orientation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 5 with a different adapter/charger and associated cord in a use or un-stored orientation; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another organizer with an adapter/charger and associated cord and cable in a stored orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to the drawings, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a cable, cord, and adapter/charger organizer 10 in accordance with the present invention. In this specific example, organizer 10 includes a base 12 which, as will become apparent presently, supports an adapter/charger and any cords and cables associated therewith. In the preferred embodiment base 12 includes a flat piece of stiff material. Such as plastic, thin wood, heavy cardboard, metal, etc. Base 12 is elongated with the corners 14 rounded to enhance cord winding and storage, as will become apparent in the following disclosure. Also, indentations or notches 16 are formed in the opposing edges for receiving the cables and/or cords in a stored orientation.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, an elongated cable and/or cord wrap 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as a “wrap”) is provided. In the preferred embodiment, at least the ends of wrap 20 are provided with a contact material, such as a hook and loop material sold under the trademark “Velcro”. A coupling element 22 is affixed to the rear side or surface of base 12 and, in this preferred embodiment includes a short piece of matching contact material (e.g. Velcro) that is affixed to the rear surface by an adhesive or the like. Also, in this embodiment wrap 20 is affixed at the rear surface of base 12 adjacent one end, by coupling element 22. While wrap 20 could be affixed to the rear surface of base 12 by some other means, one advantage of affixing wrap 20 with matching contact material is that wrap 20 can be periodically changed or new and can be lengthened or shortened as a need arises. As will be understood presently, wrap 20 is sufficiently long to extend completely around base 12 along with any associated cords and/or cables.

Referring to FIG. 3, organizer 10 is illustrated with an adapter/charger 30 (hereinafter referred to simply as an “adapter” for simplicity) and an associated cord 32 with plug 34 for attachment to an associated electronic device and an AC plug 36 for coupling to an AC wall outlet or the like. With additional reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that adapter 30 is affixed to the rear surface of base 12 by means of coupling element 22. This is accomplished, for example, by affixing a small length of matching contact material (not visible) to a flat surface of adapter 30 by some convenient means, such as an adhesive and then joining the contact material on adapter 30 to coupling element 22 (in this embodiment the short piece of matching contact material illustrated in FIG. 2). It will be understood that organizer 10 can remain conveniently attached to adapter 30 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) during periods that adapter 30 is in use, i.e. coupled to an associated electronic device (not shown).

When an operator desires to terminate the use of adapter 30, plug 36 is removed from the AC outlet and plug 34 is removed from the electronic device. Cord 32 is then wrapped around base 12 and adapter 30, using notches 16 to hold cord 32 in the wrapped orientation. It will be noted that notches 16 are positioned to receive cord 32 in a continuous wrapping direction around base 12 and adapter 30 in the stored orientation (illustrated in FIG. 3). With cord 32 firmly wrapped around base 12 and adapter 30, wrap 20 is moved to encircle base 12, adapter 30 and cord 32 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which cord 32 is wrapped so as to hold cord 32 firmly in the wrapped orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Wrap 20 can be fixed in the encircling orientation with some convenient fixing element, such as by attaching the opposed ends together with matching contact material or by attaching one or both of the opposed ends to the rear surface of base 12 with matching contact material.

Thus, in the stored orientation (as illustrated in FIG. 3) organizer 10 along with adapter 30 and cord 32 form a compact package and can be conveniently carried with the associated electronic device. Further, cord 32 can be conveniently moved to the un-stored orientation and plugged into an AC outlet and the associated electronic device by simply uncoupling or unfixing wrap 20 and unwrapping cord 32. In the un-stored orientation organizer 10 remains attached to adapter 30 and does not interfere with the use thereof.

It will be understood that base 12 can be formed in a wide variety of shapes, forms, or configurations, generally depending upon the specific electronic device with which it is intended to be associated, and the specific configuration illustrated, while preferred, can be altered substantially. It is of course preferred that base 12 be formed of a rigid plastic material because of the lightness, simplicity of construction, and inexpensive nature. Also, base 12 can be attached to adapter 30 by some coupling element 22 other than the matching contact material illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above, for example base 12 might carry flexible or spring fingers or ridges that removably engage the sides or edges of adapter 30. Coupling element 22 could alternatively include ties, clips, adhesive, or similar structure.

Wrap 20 can be formed in a wide variety of embodiments including a flexible cloth or plastic material with at least some areas covered with the matching contact material (e.g. Velcro or the like). In other embodiments it may be desirable to form wrap 20 of an elastic material (e.g. rubber, etc.) so as to provide a tighter encircling of cord 32. Also, wrap 20 can be fixed in the encircling orientation with any of a variety of fixing elements, such as the matching contact material, as described above, or wrap 20 can be fixed by incorporating snaps, buckles, ties, loop and hook, etc.

Referring to FIG. 5, a more detailed perspective view of organizer 10 with adapter 30 and associated cord 32 in a stored orientation is illustrated. In this specific and detailed view wrap 20 encircles cord 32 and adapter 30 and the ends attach together at a point 50 by some convenient means such as matching contact material, etc. Wrap 20 may be temporarily affixed to the outer surface of adapter 30 or permanently attached to base 12 as, for example, at one of the opposed edges (e.g. at a point designated 52). Referring additionally to FIG. 6, the organizer 10 of FIG. 5 is illustrated with a slightly different adapter 28 and associated cord 29 wherein adapter 28 and the AC plug are integrated into a single unit. It will be understood that an adapter and an AC plug integrated into a single unit are still constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device. As illustrated in FIG. 6 such adapter/cord arrangements are easily accommodated with organizer 10 or any of the disclosed embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, a more detailed perspective view of another embodiment of an organizer 10′ with adapter 30′ and associated cord and cable 32′ in a stored orientation is illustrated. In this specific and detailed view base 12′ of organizer 10′ is constructed with a somewhat wider body and wider notches 16′. The wider body and notches 16′ are specifically designed to receive relatively heavy cable and cord 32′. Further, in this specific embodiment wrap 20′ includes an elastic (rubber or the like) material that is temporarily affixed to a surface of adapter 30′ or permanently affixed to an edge or surface of base 12′. Because the wrapping of cable and cord 32 around base 12′ can vary substantially in position and orientation (as illustrated) it is most desirable in this embodiment to form wrap 20′ of elastic material to ensure a constant and relatively tight encircling. Further, wrap 20′ can be a continuous element (i.e. no break or ends in the material) so that a continuous stretchable band is formed. Thus, to encircle cable and cord 32′, cable and cord 32′ are wrapped around base 12′ and elastic wrap 20′ (attached or not attached to base 12′) is positioned in encircling engagement around base 12′, adapter 30′ and cable and cord 32′.

Thus, a new and improved cord, cable and adapter organizer has been disclosed. The new and improved organizer is designed to be temporarily or semi-permanently attached to an adapter and to receive cords and/or cables associated with the adapter wrapped around the base thereof and affixed in the wrapped orientation by a wrap. Cables associated with the electronic device to which the adapter is coupled can also be wrapped around the base of the organizer. The wrap can be any convenient assembly for holding the cords and/or cables in the wrapped orientation.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. A cord organizer for electronic devices using an adapter and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device, the organizer comprising:

a flat base having a first surface and a second opposed surface with notches formed in opposed ends of the flat base;

a coupling element positioned on the first surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the first surface, the notches being positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter in a stored orientation; and

a wrap affixed to the base and positioned to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped.

2. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flat base includes a flat, generally rectangular piece of stiff plastic.

3. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 2 wherein the generally rectangular piece of stiff plastic includes an elongated direction defining opposed ends and the notches are formed in the opposed ends.

4. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling element includes matching contact material affixed to the first surface of the base and to a surface of the adapter so as to removably affix the adapter to the first surface.

5. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wrap includes an elongated flexible element having a length sufficient to encircle the flat base, the adapter, and the associated cords in the stored orientation.

6. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the elongated flexible element has opposed ends with a mid portion between the ends affixed to the base.

7. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the wrap includes matching contact material on at least portions thereof, the matching contact material being positioned to engage the ends of the elongated flexible element to hold the wrap in the encircling position.

8. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wrap includes flexible elastic material.

9. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 8 wherein the flexible elastic material is a continuous stretchable band with a mid portion affixed to the base.

10. A cord organizer for electronic devices using an adapter and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device, the organizer comprising:

a flat base of generally rectangular stiff material having a first surface and a second opposed surface, the rectangular flat base defining an elongated direction with two opposed ends and a notch formed in each of the opposed ends;

a coupling element positioned on the first surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the first surface, the notches being positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter in a stored orientation; and

a wrap affixed to the base and positioned to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped.

11. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the coupling element includes matching contact material affixed to the first surface of the base and to a surface of the adapter so as to removably affix the adapter to the first surface.

12. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the wrap includes an elongated flexible element having a length sufficient to encircle the flat base, the adapter, and the associated cords in the stored orientation.

13. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the elongated flexible element has opposed ends with a mid portion between the ends affixed to the base.

14. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 13 wherein the wrap includes matching contact material on at least portions thereof, the matching contact material being positioned to engage the ends of the elongated flexible element to hold the wrap in the encircling position.

15. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the wrap includes flexible elastic material.

16. A cord organizer as claimed in claim 15 wherein the flexible elastic material is a continuous stretchable band with a mid portion affixed to the base.

17. A method of storing an adapter for electronic devices and associated cords constructed to extend between an AC outlet and a power inlet of the electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flat base of generally rectangular stiff material having a first surface and a second opposed surface, the rectangular flat base defining an elongated direction with two opposed ends and a notch formed in each of the opposed ends, a coupling element positioned on the first surface and designed to receive the electronic adapter in a removable fixed position on the first surface, and an elongated wrap affixed to the base;

using the coupling element, removably affixing the adapter to the first surface;

wrapping the associated cords in the notches in a continuous wrapping direction around the flat base and the adapter, the notches being positioned to receive and hold the associated cords in the continuous wrapping direction; and

positioning the wrap to encircle the flat base, the adapter and the associated cords in the stored orientation and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cords are wrapped, the wrap holding the cords firmly in the stored orientation.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of providing the elongated wrap includes providing an elongated flexible element having a length sufficient to encircle the flat base, the adapter, and the associated cords in the stored orientation.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the step of providing the elongated flexible element includes providing an element with opposed ends and with a mid portion between the ends affixed to the base, and the element further includes matching contact material on at least portions thereof, the matching contact material being positioned to engage the ends of the elongated flexible element to hold the wrap in the encircling position.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of providing the base and the coupling element includes providing a stiff plastic base including matching contact material affixed to the first surface of the base and to a surface of the adapter so as to removably affix the adapter to the first surface.