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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage bag that contains multiple storage reels.

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.

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. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §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. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second end view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the four piece bag for storage of reels containing light strings, according to the present invention;

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;

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.