Universal cord winder
The present invention is directed to a universal cord winder apparatus comprising a winding cap having a center spindle. The spindle includes a cord accepting groove that creates two halves to said spindle and each half contains a recessed post with an external spline disposed thereon. A semi-cylindrical bottom has a center opening with internal splines and a cut in the annular wall through which to pass the cord. The spindle of the winding cap is able to be detachably thrust into the opening of the semi-cylindrical base to form a closed cylinder. The winding cap rotates relative to the semi-cylindrical base. The splines provide for a ratcheted resistance allowing the user to adjust the amount of cord while being able to keep it at the desired length.
This claim seeks priority dates of provisional patent 60/685,254 and provisional patent 60/729,515.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to cord winders. More specifically, it relates to a cord winder of a type that can accept different diameter cords and can adjust at need the length of the drawn-out part of the cord.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWith the advent of the solid state transistor and the miniaturization of electronics the proliferation of corded devices has expanded greatly over of the last couple of decades. Audio players and cell phones with head phones abound these days. Almost all of these devices incorporate power cords as well. The user of the electronic device is always struggling to find a way to keep the associated cords organized so they do not interfere with the use of the electronic device. Also when not using the device, the user wishes to compactly store the cords so as not to create the proverbial rats nest that often ensues.
Various types of cord winders have been proposed and put into use over the years. Many of the cord winders are designed to work with a cord of a particular diameter or shape. This means that the consumer must pay extra for a cord winder that is specifically made for the device being used. Even if the cords of various devices are similar in diameter or shape, the cord winder may not be easily transferred between different cords because of its design. The aesthetic appeal of some of these cord winders is also lacking. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to present their brand name and many of these cord winders do not allow for easy placement of an insignia.
Attempts have been made to provide for simple winders that can be interchangeably used with various cords. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,708 to Matsubara provides for a cord winder which can wind up a cord with manual work. It is generally cylindrical in shape with a cord inserting groove through which the cord can be led to a bobbin structure. The top and bottom portions must be aligned to insert the cord before winding. When the cord is fully extended the cord winder falls off. A cord winder that works on similar principles is also provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,798 to Aragon.
Other cord winders incorporate springs as a bias to control the amount of cord to be extended or wound up. Examples of such cord winders are given in U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0040945 to Stepancich and U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,938 to Cantley et. al. The addition of the spring increases both the cost and number of components to produce such cord winders.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that opportunity exists for enhancing the aesthetic appeal, structural design and commercial viability of cord winders. For example, having a universal cord winder that can easily be used on a range of different shape and diameter cords would be of benefit. Having a cord winder that one can adjust to any length cord, but that still stays attached to the cord if the fill length of the cord is extended would be of benefit, yet it would be nice to easily remove the cord winder if desired. Also, it would be beneficial to have an inexpensive cord winder that could easily have an insignia placed on it so that a manufacturer could use the cord winder as a form of advertisement that goes along with the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention is directed to a universal cord winder apparatus comprising a winding cap having a center cylindrical stud. The stud includes a cord accepting groove and external splines disposed thereon. A semi-cylindrical bottom has a center opening with internal splines and a cut in the annular wall through which to pass the cord. The cylindrical stud of the winding cap is able to be detachably thrust into the opening of the semi-cylindrical base to form a closed cylinder. The winding cap rotates relative to the semi-cylindrical base.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a universal cord winder apparatus comprising a winding cap having a center spindle. The spindle includes a cord accepting groove that creates two halves to said spindle and each half contains a recessed post with an external spline disposed thereon. A semi-cylindrical bottom has a center opening with internal splines and a cut in the annular wall through which to pass the cord. The spindle of the winding cap is able to be detachably thrust into the opening of the semi-cylindrical base to form a closed cylinder. The winding cap rotates relative to the semi-cylindrical base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSThe foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
A universal cord winder apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in
External splines 32 and internal splines 36 are shaped so as to have more ratcheted resistance when rotating in one direction than in the other. This is accomplished by fabricating facet edge 40a to be longer in length than facet edge 40b for each of the splines as shown in
To be able to more universally accept cords of different diameters and still hold cord winder at a specific location along cord 45 when it is fully unwound, a compliant material 41 or other mechanism may be attached to the inside of cord accepting groove 31. Compliant material 41 may be a piece of foam rubber with a slot 42 in it as shown in
Another variation that may be incorporated into winding cap 60 is a different structure for the cylindrical stud or spindle 62. In this embodiment spindle 62 has a cord accepting groove 63 that creates two spindle halves 64a and 64b. Within each spindle half 64 resides a post 65. Posts 65a and 65b are recessed on opposite sides of spindle 62. A thin webbed wall 66 on either side of post 65 adds stiffness to the post. Posts 65 are recessed in the region of the spindle 62 where cord wrapping occurs. By being recessed, posts 65 are not constricted by wrapped cord and respond with a uniform resistance no matter how much of cord is wrapped around spindle 62. A groove 67 at the top of spindle 62 is provided for locking the top of the spindle with internal splines 77 of semi cylindrical base 70. Each post 65 has a spline 68 on its end that engages with internal splines 77 of semi cyclindrical base 70. As winding cap 60 is turned, each post spline 68 is pushed past an internal spline 77, this creates both a resistance and an audible “click” as is passes. The amount of winding resistance may be adjusted by varying the amount of webbing 66 provided on either side of post 65 during manufacture or the user may make a cut in the webbing to tailor the resistance and intensity of the click to his or her preference.
While several embodiments of the invention, together with modifications thereof, have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, disengagement mechanism 23 may be formed to take the shape of various clipping mechanisms while still functioning as a structure to disengage cylindrical stud 30 from semi-cylindrical base 22. Also, other means may be used to act as textured surface 38. Nothing in the above specification is intended to limit the invention more narrowly than the appended claims. The examples given are intended only to be illustrative rather than exclusive.
Claims
1) A cord winder apparatus for winding a cord, comprising:
- a) a winding cap having a spindle, said spindle including a cord accepting groove that creates two halves to said spindle and each half containing a recessed post with an external spline disposed thereon;
- b) a semi-cylindrical bottom having a center opening with internal splines and a cut in the annular wall thereof; and
- c) said spindle of said winding cap able to be detachably thrust into said opening of said semi-cylindrical base to form a closed cylinder wherein said winding cap rotates relative to said semi-cylindrical base.
2) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spindle further includes a tapered tip and hooked edge.
3) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said accepting groove of said cylindrical stud is lined with a compliant material to accept and secure cords of varied diameter size and shape.
4) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external and internal splines interlock to provide a ratcheted resistance when rotating said winding cap relative to said semi-cylindrical bottom.
5) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said external and internal splines are shaped to provide for more ratcheted resistance when turning said winding cap in one direction than the other.
6) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said winding cap has a textured surface around the edge to create a gripping force to assist in rotating said winding cap relative to said semi-cylindrical bottom.
7) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge of said winding cap includes a channel that fits over a lip on the annular edge of said semi-cylindrical bottom.
8) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein cut in said annular wall of said semi-cylindrical bottom includes a rounded edge.
9) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a disengagement mechanism attached to said semi-cylindrical bottom, said disengagement mechanism used to disengage said winding cap from said semi-cylindrical bottom when pressed.
10) A cord winding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said disengagement mechanism is also a clip.
Type: Application
Filed: May 23, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2006
Inventor: Darrel Hade (Essex Jct, VT)
Application Number: 11/438,993
International Classification: B65H 75/00 (20060101);