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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 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

1. Field of the Invention

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.

2. Discussion of Related Art

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retractable cord device illustrated in FIG. 1 having the cover member inserted in place;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the retractable cord device with the cover member removed;

FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable cord device illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the retractable cord device;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable cord device illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are modeled images of the retractable cord device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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° angle with respect to a long axis defined by the main body.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.