Extension cord transport cart

Abstract

An extension cord transport cart for transporting, unwinding, rewinding, and storing long extension cords used outdoors to power electrical devices. The transport cart includes a storage reel that includes a pair of end disks retained in a spaced relationship by a center member. A crank handle is provided adapted to rotationally drive the storage reel upon application of hand force to wind the extension cord therearound. The transport cart is rotatably supported on a support frame with two wheels rotatably connected thereto for easy hand-pushing thereof. A relatively long power cord is provided for connection to electrical wall outlets and to the extension cord to supply electrical power to the electrical devices. The storage reel has a pair of clips to retain a male connector of the extension cord to one of the end disks thereof and a corresponding end portion of the extension cord to the center member thereof preventing disconnection upon complete unwinding thereof. The support frame has a pair of clips to retain a female connector and corresponding end of the power cord to the support frame preventing disconnection thereof during use. The support frame includes an upper cord wrapping area for storing the power cord.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to extension cord reel devices for storage of electrical extension cords which have a short electrical cord to plug into conventional electrical wall outlets and from which a desired length of the flexible electrical cord may by unwound for use powering electric tools and rewound following use, and more particularly to such extension cord reel devices which store extension cords of extended lengths too heavy to carry by hand.

2. State of the Art

Extension cords are used to extend the effective electrical cord length of indoor and outdoor electrical devices such as lights, computers, and power tools. Some of these electrical cords are used semi-permanently such as indoors in homes for table lamps, computers, and the like which stay in one place and used on a regular basis. Other electrical cords are used for specific jobs such as outdoors using electrical devices including lawn mowers, chain saws, and the like.

Extension cords have a male connector at one end of a flexible electrical cord for plugging into a conventional electrical wall outlet and a female connector at an opposite end of the cord with one or more female outlets interconnected by a flexible electrical cord. The connectors may be for two prong electrical wall outlets with the cord having two electrical conductors for non-grounded applications. Alternatively, the connectors may be for three prong electrical wall outlets with the cord having three electrical conductors for grounded applications.

Extension cords for indoor use and outdoor use typically vary in construction due to the differences in use including durability and shock prevention. The extension cords for indoor use are often of the two prong two electrical conductor non-grounded type and cord lengths of between about five feet and eight feet long. This is because such extension cords are less expensive and grounding is not as much of an issue since the extension cords are typically connected to devices that are not held in-hand where shock prevention is not an issue. The extension cords for outdoor use are often of the three prong three electrical conductor grounded type and much longer cord lengths such as between twenty-five feet and two-hundred-fifty feet long. This is because such extension cords are made to be more durable for outdoors use and grounding is a major issue since the extension cords are typically connected to devices that are held in-hand where shock prevention is an issue.

Storage of extension cords used indoors during periods of non-use is not much of an issue since these extension cords typically are used continuously. Also, the cord length is relatively short which along with the two conductor cords which are easily bendable allows the extension cord to be easily rolled-up in-hand. Conversely, storage of extension cords used outdoors during periods of non-use is much more of an issue since these extension cords typically are not used continuously but rather for short periods of time. Also, the cord length is much longer which along with the three conductor cords are much less easily bent require forming large loops or the use of a cord reel device.

Various extension cord reel devices have been patented for extension cords for outdoor use in attempts to provide compact storage, and easier transport, unwinding, and rewinding of the extension cords. Some of these are small cord reel devices for storage of the shorter cord lengths such as twenty-five feet to fifty feet which are easily carried in-hand. These small cord reel devices typically include a small hand-cranked reel disposed in a plastic case for hand carrying. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,697 issued to Kovacik, et al. on Feb. 16, 1988 is disclosed an extension cord reel and carrying case is formed of high impact plastic. The case is formed of two halves which are releasably attached together with the reel disposed therein. The reel is formed from two halves and includes a pair of electrical outlets and a circuit breaker in a central area thereof. The reel is supported in the case on flanges extending through openings in the case and is manually rotated.

While the small cord reel devices such as that of Kovacik are generally adequate for the purposes intended, that is for storage, unwinding, and winding of relatively short extension cords for outdoors use, they have several shortcomings. Firstly, they can only hold the relatively short extension cords with cord lengths of between about twenty-five to fifty feet so as not to be bulky and of relatively light weight for hand carrying. Secondly, since they are relatively lightweight, typically they cannot be placed on the ground surface and the cord unwound by one person due to the need to hold them in place on the ground surface while being unwound. A single user must unwind an estimated length of the extension cord onto the ground while holding the cord reel device and then pull the end thereof to the work place where electrical power is required. Thirdly, an electrical brush and ring arrangement or similar arrangement is needed to supply the rotatable extension cord on the reel with electrical power from the stationary power cord which plugs into the electrical wall outlet. This adds complexity to the small cord reel devices which results in higher manufacturing costs and additional failure modes.

The longer cord lengths of between fifty feet and two-hundred-fifty feet present a much more formidable problem due to their length, weight, overall bulk, and propensity to tangle and knot up. Therefore, various extension large cord reel devices have been patented specifically for the longer extension cords in attempts to provide compact storage, and easier transport, unwinding, and rewinding of the longer cord lengths such as fifty feet to two-hundred-fifty feet which are not easily carried in-hand. Many of these large cord reel devices typically include a large hand-cranked or powered reel disposed in a large housing for placement on the ground surface. For example. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,512 issued to Johnston on Jan. 30, 1990 is disclosed a storage apparatus for extension cords. The storage apparatus includes a reel for storing a short power cord which plugs into a wall socket, a second drum for storing the extension cord, and a level wind apparatus similar to that used on fishing rods which uniformly rewinds the extension cord on the second drum. Long, extension cords can be stored in a relatively small space without tangling.

While the large cord reel devices such as that of Johnston are generally adequate for the purposes intended, that is for storage, unwinding, and winding of the longer extension cords for outdoors use, they also have several shortcomings. Firstly, while they can hold the longer extension cords with cord lengths of between about fifty feet to two-hundred-fifty feet, they are bulky and heavy requiring several persons for hand carrying. Secondly, heavier than the small cord reel devices and thus can be placed on the ground surface and the cord unwound by one person walking away pulling the end thereof to the work place where power is required without holding them in place while being unwound, the power cords are typically only about five feet long. Therefore, the short power cords which must be plugged in to electrical wall outlets where available, such as in a garage, dictates where the large cord reel devices must be placed. This often does not provide a straight line for pulling the extension cord from the large cord reel device to the work place where electrical power is required unless another extension cord is used to extend the power cord. Pulling this extension cord around corners of a house or other obstacle causes difficulty in pulling the extension cord and possible damage thereto. Thirdly, an electrical brush and ring arrangement or similar arrangement is needed to supply the rotatable extension cord on the reel with electrical power from the stationary power cord which plugs into the electrical wall outlet. This adds complexity to the small cord reel devices which results in higher manufacturing costs and additional failure modes.

Therefore, there is a continuing need for a cord reel device which solves the problems with the prior art devices and provides further improvements which: 1) is of simple construction specifically designed for storage, unwinding, and winding of the longer, heavier extension cords for outdoors use; 2) is not bulky or heavy so as to be movable by single person; 3) the extension cord may be unwound by one person walking away pulling the end thereof to the work place where power is required without the need to hold in place on the ground surface while being unwound; 4) does not require the complex electrical brush and ring arrangement or similar arrangement to supply the extension cord with electrical power from the power cord; 5) has a longer power cord such that cord reel device may be positioned to have a straight line for pulling the extension cord to the work place where electrical power is required without using another extension cord to extend the power cord; 6) is easy for users to assemble, inexpensive to manufacture, durable for long life, and dependable for relatively trouble-free operation; 7) includes wheels for easy storage and transport of the extension cord; 8) provides easy storage of the power cord; and 9) the extension cord is easily unwound and rewound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an extension cord transport cart for transporting, unwinding, rewinding, and storing an electrical extension cord to power electrical devices supplied with electrical power conducted through an electrical power cord which plugs into electrical wall outlets. The transport cart includes a storage reel adapted to be hand-rotated to unwind, rewind, and store the extension cord. A support frame is adapted to rotatably support the storage reel, be hand-pushed, and store the power cord. A wheel assembly is adapted to rollably support the support frame with storage reel.

In a preferred transport cart, one or both of the extension cord and the power cord are provided, each of which includes a male connector and a female connector interconnected by a flexible electrical cord. The storage reel includes a pair of end disks retained in a spaced relationship by a center member. A crank handle is provided adapted to rotationally drive the storage reel upon application of hand force. The storage reel is adapted to retain an end portion of the extension cord thereto by including a cord clip adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the extension cord. The cord clip is adapted to receive the flexible electrical cord tangential to the storage reel and bend the flexible electrical cord to longitudinal of the storage reel. The storage reel is adapted to retain the male connector of the extension cord thereto by including a connector clip adapted to retain the male connector of the extension cord. One of the end disks includes the connector clip disposed at an outer periphery thereof and the center tube which includes the cord clip each of which retain the extension cord. The support frame includes a pair of upright side frames each including a handle support member, each side frame being of generally triangular configuration interconnected by a plurality of connecting members, the storage reel being rotatably connected to said support frame between the side frames. The support frame is adapted to retain an end portion of the power cord by including a cord clip adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the power cord. The support frame is adapted to retain the female connector of the power cord by including a connector clip adapted to retain the female connector of the power cord. One of the connecting members comprises a tray module mounted between the handle support members which includes a pair of side members interconnected by a tray for holding items and a push member for hand-pushing thereof. The support frame includes a cord wrapping area for storing the power cord disposed at an upper end thereof. The cord wrapping area includes a pair of spaced-apart flanged areas, recessed areas, or a combination thereof adapted to retain the power cord wrapped therebetween. The wheel assembly includes two or more wheels rotatably connected to the support frame.

THE DRAWINGS

The best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extension cord transport cart of the present invention which includes an electrical extension cord which connects to electrical devices shown in a wound position, an electrical power cord which plugs into electrical wall outlets to supply electrical power to the extension cord shown in an unwound position not connected to the extension cord, a support frame rollably supported on a wheel assembly, and a storage reel for rolling up the extension cord rotatably supported by the support frame;

FIG. 2, a front elevational view of the transport cart without the electrical extension and power cords showing the support frame including a pair of side frames interconnected by a tray module, a front connecting member, a rear connecting member, a plurality of cord and connector clips used to retain the extension and power cords respectively to the storage reel and the support frame;

FIG. 3, a side elevational view of the transport cart showing the extension and power cords completely unwound and connected together;

FIG. 4, a rear elevational view of the transport cart showing the extension and power cords completely wound, disconnected, and stored in respective of the cord and connector clips; and

FIG. 5, an exploded perspective view of the transport cart without the electrical extension and power cords showing a hexagonal shaft that extends through the support frame, the storage reel, a pair of crank disks, and into a crank handle for rotating the support reel to rewind the extension cord, and an axle that extends through the support frame and a pair of wheels to rollably support the support frame and storage reel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, therein is shown an extension cord transport cart of the present invention, designated generally at 10, for transport, unwinding, rewinding, and storing a conventional electrical extension cord 12 thereof to power electrically powered devices supplied with electrical power conducted through a conventional electrical power cord 14 thereof adapted to plug into conventional electrical wall outlets (not shown) to conduct the electrical power to the extension cord 12.

The extension cord 12 is of the type which includes a male connector 16 and a female connector 18 interconnected by a two or three conductor flexible sheathed electrical cord 20, preferably of a cord length between about two-hundred feet and two-hundred-fifty feet long. The power cord 14 is of the type which includes a male connector 22 and a female connector 24 interconnected by a two or three conductor flexible sheathed electrical cord 26, preferably of a cord length between about twenty-five feet and fifty feet long.

The transport cart 10 includes a the extension cord 12, the power cord 14, a support frame, 28 rollably supported on a wheel assembly 30, and a storage reel 32 for rolling up the extension cord 12 rotatably supported by the support frame 28. The support frame 28, the wheel assembly 30, and the storage reel 32 are all preferably primarily injection molded from plastic materials (except as noted below) such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, high impact styrene, nylon, and the like to provide a sturdy, durable, lightweight construction. They may be ribbed to provide rigid yet lightweight construction.

The support frame 28 is adapted to rotatably support the storage reel 32, be hand-pushed, and store the power cord 14. The support frame 28 includes a pair of upright right and left side frames 36 and 38 each of generally triangular configuration interconnected by a plurality of connecting, members including a tray module 40, a front connecting member 42, and a rear connecting member 44. The side frames 36 and 38 each include a horizontally disposed bottom member 46 with a downwardly dependent foot 48. A front member 50 is diagonally upwardly and rearwardly dependent from the bottom member 46. The support frame 28 is adapted to retain the female connector 24 of the power cord 14 thereto using an appropriately configured connector clip 51 therefor of front member 50. A handle support member 52 is diagonally upwardly and rearwardly dependent from the front member 50 and has a pair of spaced-apart molded-in flanged areas 53 which border a molded-in recessed areas 54 adapted to retain the power cord 12 wrapped therearound. The flanges 53 and recesses 54 of the side frames 36 and 38 together comprise a cord wrapping area 56 disposed at an upper end 57 of the support frame 28 for storing the power cord 12. The support frame 28 has a capacity to wrap up the between about 25 to 50 foot length of the power cord 14. A rear member 58 is downwardly dependent from the front member 50. The support frame 28 is adapted to retain an end portion of the power cord 14 thereto using a cord clip 59 of C-shaped cross-section of the rear member 58. A curved wheel member 60 with a recessed wheel well 62 to accommodate the wheel assembly 30 interconnects the rear member 58 and the front member 50. A center member 64 diagonally interconnects the front member 50 and the wheel member 60. The front member 50 of the right side frame 36 has a small bushing 66 affixed therethrough made of a friction reducing material such as nylon. The front member 50 of the left side frame 38 has a large bushing 68 affixed therethrough made of the same material.

The tray module 40 includes a pair of side members 70 interconnected by an integral push member or push bar 72 for hand-pushing of the transport cart 10 and a tray 74 for holding various items. The tray module 40 mounts to the front members 50 and handle support members 52 of side frames 36 and 38 using a plurality of bolts 76 that extend through the handle support members 52 and threadably engage the side members 70 of the tray module 40.

The front connecting member 42 includes an angled front panel 78 and an integral bottom panel 80. The front connecting member 42 mounts to the front members 50 of side frames 36 and 38 using a plurality of the bolts 76 that extend through the front members 50 and threadably engage the front panel 78.

The rear connecting member 44 mounts to the wheel members 60 of side frames 36 and 38 using a plurality of the bolts 76 that extend through the wheel members 60 and threadably engage the rear connecting member 44.

The wheel assembly 30 is adapted to rollably support the support frame 28 with storage reel 32. The wheel assembly includes a pair of wheels 82 rotatably connected to the support frame 28 each with a bushing 84 affixed therethrough. The wheels 82 are rotatably connected to the side frames 36 and 38 disposed within the wheel wells 62 on an axle 86 that extends through a hole 88 through each wheel member 60 and the bushing 84 of each wheel 82. The wheels 82 are retained to the axle 86 using respective friction locking end caps 90. The axle 86 is preferably made of the same materials listed above for hexagonal shaft 144.

The storage reel 32 is rotatably connected to the support frame 28 between the side frame, 36 and 38. The storage reel 32 includes a pair of right and left end disks 92 and 94 retained in a spaced relationship by a center member in the form of a center tube 96 affixed thereto. The storage reel 32 is adapted to retain the extension cord 12 thereto using a curved cord clip 98 of C-shaped cross-section of the center tube 96. The cord clip 98 is adapted to receive the flexible electrical cord 20 tangential to the storage reel 32 and bend the flexible electrical cord 20 to longitudinal of the storage reel 32. The right end disk 92 includes a central disk 100 with a center hole 102 therethrough and an outer rim 104 interconnected by a plurality of radial spokes 106. The central disk 100 has a recessed centering area 108 to closely receive one of a pair of ends 110 of the center tube 96. The storage reel 32 is adapted to retain the male connector 16 of the extension cord 12 thereto using an appropriately configured connector clip 112 therefor of the outer rim 104. One of a pair of crank disks 114 made of sheet metal having a hexagonal hole 116 therethrough is affixed to the central disk 100 of the end disk 92 coaxial with the center hole 102 using a plurality of rivets 118. The left end disk 94 includes a central disk 120 with a center hole 122 therethrough and an outer rim 124 interconnected by a plurality of radial spokes 126. The central disk 120 has a recessed centering area 128 to closely receive another of the ends 110 of the center tube 96. The outer rim 124 includes an appropriately configured plug clip 130 to retain the female connector 24 of power cord 14 thereto during storage. Another of the sheet metal crank disks 114 having the hexagonal hole 116 therethrough is affixed to the central disk 120 of the end disk 94 coaxial with the center hole 122 using a plurality of the rivets 118. The storage reel 32 has a capacity to hold the between about 200 to 250 foot length of the extension cord 12.

The storage reel 32 is adapted to be hand-rotated to unwind, rewind, and store the extension cord 12 by including a crank handle 132 adapted to rotationally drive the storage reel 32 upon application of hand force. The crank handle 132 includes a crank shaft 134 connected to the storage reel 32 extending along a longitudinal axis 135 thereof. An integral arm 136 extends from the crank shaft 134 opposite the storage reel 32 disposed generally at a right angle thereto. A handle 138 extends from an end 139 of the arm 136 distal from the crank shaft 134 disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 135. The handle 138 is rotatably connected to arm 136 using a bolt 140. The crank shaft 134 has a hexagonal bore 142 that extends thereinto opposite the arm 136. The crank, handle 132 is preferably made using the same plastic materials and processes described above.

The storage reel 32 is rotatably connected to the support frame 28 between the side frames 36 and 38 on a hexagonal shaft 144 that extends through the small and large bushings 66 and 68 of the side frames 36 and 38, the center holes 102 and 122 of the end disks 92 and 94, and the hexagonal holes 116 of the crank disks 114. The crank shaft 134 fits into the large bushing 68 and the storage reel 32 is retained to thereto using a friction locking end cap 146 and the press-fitting into the hexagonal bore 142 of crank handle 132. The hexagonal shaft 144 is preferably made of anodized aluminum for light weight and corrosion resistance. Alternatively, nickle or chrome plated steel is preferred.

The transport cart 10 is used by grabbing the push bar 72 in-hand and tilting the frame 28 rearwardly on the wheels 82 to lift the feet 48 thereof off the ground surface. The transport cart 10 is then rolled from a garage or other storage location (not shown) outdoors to a position for a straight line to pull the extension cord 12 to the work place where electrical power is required and within the cord length of the power cord 14 from an electrical wall outlet. Enough of the power cord 14 is then unwrapped from the cord wrapping area 56 of support frame 28 to reach the electrical wall outlet and the male connector 22 thereof plugged in. The male connector 16 of extension cord 12 is initially retained in the connector clip 112 of storage reel 32 and the female connector 24 of power cord 14 is retained in the connector clip 51 of support frame 28. This permits the storage reel 32 to rotate, on the support frame 28 without twisting either of the extension cord 12 or the power cord 14. A desired length of the extension cord 12 is pulled in the straight line to the work place where electrical power is required by gripping the extension cord 12 in-hand at the male connector 16 and walking, to the work place. The storage reel 32 freely rotates on the bushings 66 and 68 of support frame 28 as the extension cord 12 is unreeled and the feet 48 resting on the ground surface prevent the transport cart 10 from rolling on the wheels 82. The male connector 16 of extension cord 12 is removed from the connector clip 112 of storage reel 32 and plugged into the female connector 24 of power cord 14 which remains in the connector clip 51 of support frame 28. The transport cart 10 is now ready to supply electrical power to the work place by plugging into the female connector 18 of extension cord 12 the power cord of an electrically powered device (not shown) such as a leaf blower, a lawn mower, a portable flood light, a chain saw, and the like. When work is completed, the procedure is reversed except for replacing unwinding of the extension cord 12 by pulling with winding back onto the storage reel 32 by gripping the handle 138 of crank handle 132 in-hand and rotating rotationally drive the storage reel 32 to rewind extension cord 12.

The extension cord transport cart of the present invention thus solves the problems with the prior art devices and provides further improvements by: 1) being of simple construction with a minimal number of component parts specifically designed for extension cords of cord lengths up to between about two-hundred feet and two-hundred-fifty feet; 2) not being bulky or heavy so as to be movable by single person; 3) having front legs which prevent rolling on the wheels to permit the extension cord may be unwound by one person walking away pulling the end thereof; 4) utilizing an extension cord and a separate power cord which are unplugged when the storage reel is to be rotated to unwind or rewind the extension cord and which are plugged together to supply electrical power instead of other complex arrangements; 5) having a longer power cord of a cord length of between about twenty-five feet and fifty feet such that the transport cart may be positioned to have, a straight line for pulling the extension cord to the work place where electrical power is required without using another extension cord to extend the power cord; 6) being easy for users to assemble by using bolts for assembly using hand tools, inexpensive to manufacture using plastic moldings machines, durable plastic construction for long life, and dependable for relatively trouble-free, operation by having bushings at rotation points to reduce friction; 7) including wheels for eats storage and transport of the extension cord; 8) the support frame having the cord wrapping area providing easy storage of the power cord; and 9) having bushings on which the storage reel rotates so the extension cord is easily unwound and rewound.

Many variations to the extension cord transport cart of the present invention are possible while staying within the same inventive concept. For example, different materials and/or processes may be used as appropriate to manufacture the transport cart such as roto-molding or pressure molding the support frame, the wheel assembly, the storage reel, and the crank handle, or machined, cast, or stamped from aluminum, steel, or other suitable material. The bushings may be made of self-lubricating metal and the like. The cord clips and connector clips may be of any suitable configuration to accomplish the retaining purpose such as loops. The support frame and storage reel may be of other suitable configurations. The handle of the crank handle may be designed to fold inwardly to provide more compact storage of the transport cart.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with reference to embodiments thereof presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out such invention in actual practice, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in adapting the invention to different embodiments without departing from the broader inventive concepts disclosed herein and comprehended by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An extension cord transport cart for transporting, unwinding, rewinding, and storing an electrical extension cord to power electrical devices supplied with electrical power conducted through an electrical power cord which plugs into electrical wall outlets, comprising:

a storage reel adapted to be hand-rotated to unwind, rewind, and store the extension cord;

a support frame adapted to rotatably support said storage reel, be hand-pushed, and store the power cord; and

a wheel assembly adapted to rollably support said support frame with storage reel.

2. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a cord wrapping area for storing the power cord.

3. The transport cart according to claim 2, wherein the cord wrapping area is disposed at an upper end of the support frame.

4. The transport cart according to claim 2, wherein the cord wrapping area is chosen from the group consisting of a pair of spaced-apart flanged areas, recessed areas, and a combination thereof adapted to retain the power cord wrapped therebetween.

5. The transport cart according to claim 2, wherein the support frame has a capacity to wrap up between about 25 to 50 feet of the power cord.

6. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the storage reel is adapted to retain an end portion of the extension cord.

7. The transport cart according to claim 6, wherein the storage reel includes a cord clip) adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the extension cord.

8. The transport cart according to claim 7, wherein the cord clip is adapted to receive the flexible electrical cord tangential to the storage reel and bend said flexible electrical cord to longitudinal of said storage reel.

9. The transport cart according to claim 6, wherein the storage reel is adapted to retain a male connector of the extension cord.

10. The transport cart according to claim 9, wherein the storage reel includes a connector clip adapted to retain the male connector of the extension cord.

11. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is adapted to retain an end portion of the power cord.

12. The transport cart according to claim 11, wherein the support frame includes a cord clip adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the power cord.

13. The transport cart according to claim 11, wherein the support frame is adapted to retain a female connector of the power cord.

14. The transport cart according to claim 13, wherein the support frame includes a connector clip adapted to retain the female connector of the power cord.

15. The transport cart according to claim 1, further comprising a crank handle adapted to rotationally drive the storage reel upon application of hand force.

16. The transport cart according to claim 15, wherein the crank handle includes a crank shaft connected to the storage reel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, an arm extending from said crank shaft opposite said storage reel disposed generally at a right angle thereto, and a handle extending from an end of said arm distal from said crank shaft disposed generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.

17. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes at least two wheels rotatably connected to the support frame.

18. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a pair of upright side frames interconnected by a plurality of connecting members, the storage reel being rotatably connected to said support frame between said side frames.

19. The transport cart according to claim 18, wherein the side frames are each of generally triangular configuration.

20. The transport cart according to claim 18, wherein the side frames each include a handle support member.

21. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a push member for hand-pushing thereof.

22. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a tray for holding various items.

23. The transport cart according to claim 22, wherein the tray comprises a tray module, which includes a pair of side members interconnected by an integral push member and tray.

24. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the storage reel includes a pair of end disks retained in a spaced relationship by a center member.

25. The transport cart according to claim 24, wherein the center member comprises a center tube.

26. The transport cart according to claim 24, wherein each end disk comprises a central disk and an outer rim interconnected by a plurality of radial spokes.

27. The transport cart according to claim 1, wherein the storage reel has a capacity to hold between about 200 to 250 feet of the extension cord.

28. The transport cart according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the extension cord and the power cord, each of which includes a male connector and a female connector interconnected by a flexible electrical cord.

29. An extension cord transport cart for transporting, unwinding, rewinding, and storing an electrical extension cord to power electrical devices supplied with electrical power from electrical wall outlets, comprising:

a storage reel adapted to be hand-rotated to unwind, rewind, and store the extension cord;

an electrical power cord adapted to plug into the electrical wall outlets to conduct the electrical power to said extension cord;

a support frame adapted to rotatably support said storage reel, to be hand-pushed, and to store said power cord; and

a wheel assembly adapted to rollably support said support frame with storage reel.

30. The transport cart according to claim 29, further comprising:

at least one of the extension cord and the electrical power cord, each of which includes a male connector and a female connector interconnected by a flexible electrical cord;

a crank handle adapted to rotationally drive the storage reel upon application of hand force, said storage reel being adapted to retain an end portion and said male connector of said extension cord thereto; and

wherein the support frame is adapted to retain an end portion and said female connector of said power cord, and the wheel assembly includes at least two wheels rotatably connected to said support frame.

31. The transport cart according to claim 30, wherein the storage reel includes a cord clip adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the extension cord and a connector clip adapted to retain the male connector of said extension cord, and the support frame includes a cord clip adapted to retain a flexible electrical cord of the power cord and a connector clip adapted to retain the female connector of said power cord.

32. The transport cart according to claim 31, wherein the storage reel includes a pair of end disks retained in a spaced relationship by a center member, one of said end disks which includes the connector clip disposed at an outer periphery thereof and said center tube which includes the cord clip each of which retain the extension cord.

33. The transport cart according to claim 32, wherein the cord clip of the storage reel is adapted to receive the flexible electrical cord tangential to the storage reel and bend said flexible electrical cord to longitudinal of said storage reel.

34. The transport cart according to claim 29, wherein the support frame includes a pair of upright side frames each including a handle support member, each side frame being of generally triangular configuration interconnected by a plurality of connecting members, the storage reel being rotatably connected to said support frame between said side frames, one of said connecting members comprising a tray module mounted between said handle support members which includes a pair of side members interconnected by a tray for holding items and a push member for hand-pushing thereof.

35. The transport cart according to claim 29, wherein the support frame includes a cord wrapping area for storing the power cord disposed at an upper end thereof chosen from the group consisting of a pair of spaced-apart flanged areas, recessed areas, and a combination thereof adapted to retain the power cord wrapped therebetween.