Light Winding Apparatus

Abstract

A light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage is described. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. The apparatus may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc. The apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to winding and storing of Christmas lights, electrical cords, and the like, and more particularly to an apparatus for the ordered winding and unwinding of Christmas lights, electrical cords, and the like, wherein a single apparatus is reusable for multiple strands of lights

2. Background and Related Art

One of the major chores of the holiday season is the placing of holiday lights on the house, tree, etc., followed shortly thereafter by the removal and re-storage of the holiday lights. Many people find it difficult to adequately wind and store the holiday lights, along with any associated electrical extension cords, in a rapid and convenient way that prevents entanglement. For example, if lights that have been removed from a house, internal or external tree, etc. are not carefully stored, they may tangle. As is well known, tangled holiday lights are particularly difficult to untangle because of the many protruding light bulbs that tend to catch on one another and prevent easy untangling.

Therefore, many people try to be careful when removing and storing their holiday lights. However, even when being careful, many people find it difficult to properly wind and store their lights so as to prevent tangles. In addition, many people find it time consuming to properly wind and secure their holiday lights.

These and other problems in storing holiday lighting are often forgotten for months on end, until the stored holiday lights are retrieved from storage for the next year's holiday lighting display. At that point, many people, even those who took the time to carefully store their holiday lights, find it difficult to unwind or otherwise re-deploy their holiday lights. It is common for even the most carefully-wound lights to tangle during re-hanging, simply as a matter of how the light strands are unwound from the looped configuration in which they are typically stored. In some instances, the tangling can be so bad that individual light bulbs are damaged, or that the strand becomes unusable and must be replaced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of the invention provide a light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. Implementations of the invention may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc.

Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the various implementations of the light winder apparatus, the apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands. In the case of using the light winder apparatus for unwinding wound light strands, the apparatus may be actuated to receive a wound light strand, secure the wound light strand, and then unwind the wound light strand in an orderly fashion. The light winder apparatus is therefore highly useful and reusable for winding and unwinding light strands, addressing many of the issues encountered in using and storing light strands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a light winding apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating a thumb button and a rotating jaw;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, further illustrating the rotating jaw;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, further illustrating the rotating jaw;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating a rotating handle;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating features of a fixed jaw;

FIG. 8 provides a side perspective view of the fixed jaw of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating additional features of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 illustrates a closer bottom perspective view of a fastener storage area;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a light winding apparatus;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with a handle rotated 180 degrees from the view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the handle in the position of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the handle in the position of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention provide a light winding apparatus that may be used to wind strands of holiday lighting, extension cords, and the like for compact, convenient, and organized storage. The light winding apparatus may also be used to unwind/redeploy the wound strands of lighting and the like. Therefore, in the following description and in the claims, the term “light strand” is used in an illustrative sense, and should be interpreted to mean any type of cord, strand, etc. that a person might find it desirable to wind for storage and/or unwind/redeploy after storage, including extension cords, strands of holiday lighting, strands of icicle-style holiday lighting, strands of LED lighting, etc. It will also be readily understood that embodiments of the invention may also be used to wind/store and/or unwind/deploy other similarly oriented materials, including ropes, twines, cords, wires, garlands, etc.

Although it is possible to store a wound light strand on the light winder apparatus, the apparatus is designed to allow releasing of the wound light strand from the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands. In the case of using the light winder apparatus for deploying wound light strands, the apparatus may be actuated to receive a wound light strand, secure the wound light strand, and then deploy the wound light strand in an orderly fashion. The light winder apparatus is therefore highly useful and reusable for winding and unwinding light strands, addressing many of the issues encountered in using and storing light strands as discussed above.

FIGS. 1-10 show perspective views of a light winder apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes a handle 12 and a body 14. The handle 12 may be ergonomically formed to be comfortably held by an average human hand, and the ergonomic forming may also improve a grip of the handle 12 so that a person holding the apparatus 10 by the handle 12 easily maintains a secure grip. The body 14 of the apparatus 10 is attached to the handle 12, and may be selectively rotatably attached to the handle 12, as will be discussed below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the body 14 is generally elongate and may have a cross-sectional height and thickness to allow the body 14 to be comfortably grasped by an average human hand. As may be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1-10, the configuration of the handle 12 and the body 14 allows the apparatus 10 to be stored in a substantially-flat, space-saving configuration.

In at least some embodiments, the handle 12 is attached to the body 14 at a location offset from the center of the body 14. In other embodiments, the handle 12 may be attached at a midpoint of the body 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10, the handle 12 is attached to the body 14 at one end of the handle 12. In other embodiments, the handle 12 may be attached to the body 14 at or near a midpoint of the handle 12.

As previously mentioned, the body 14 may be elongate. At one end of the elongate body 14, a fixed jaw 16 is attached to the body 14. At the other end of the elongate body 14, an openable jaw 18 is attached to the body 14. The openable jaw 18 permits the apparatus 10 to be used to wind a light strand and then permits the apparatus to release the wound light strand so that the apparatus 10 can be re-used to wind additional light strands as needed. In addition, the openable jaw 18 permits the apparatus 10 to be used to receive and secure a previously-would light strand for unwinding the light strand when the light strand is to be used or used again.

The openable jaw 18 may include a fixed jaw member 20 and a moveable jaw member 22. As may be appreciated, only one jaw member needs to be moveable to allow the openable jaw 18 to open, although the same functionality may be achieved if both jaw members of the openable jaw 18 are moveable jaw members 22. In addition, it will be readily appreciated that the functionality of the apparatus is maintained in embodiments where both jaws are openable jaws 18 (i.e. where the fixed jaw 16 illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 is replaced with another openable jaw 18.

A description of the use of the apparatus 10 will now be provided. When a user desires to wind a light strand using the apparatus 10, the user wishes to wrap a first winding or two around the apparatus 10 (with the openable jaw 18 in the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, of course). While it is possible for the user to simply hold the first few windings of the light strand on the apparatus 10, the apparatus 10 may be provided with features to assist in this operation. Specifically, a light strand channel 24 may be provided to one or both of the jaws. One embodiment of the light strand channel 24 is best visible in FIG. 7. As is commonly known, many light strands do not have a circular cross section, but either have multiple individual strands, or have a flattened cross section. Therefore, the light strand channel 24 may be configured to receive and secure a light strand. More specifically, the cross-section of the light strand channel 24 may include a narrow opening having a width of, for example, approximately four millimeters, with a broader inner portion of the light strand channel 24 having a width of, for example, approximately six millimeters. This channel configuration allows a user to twist or flex the light strand to pass through the narrow opening and be relatively securely held within the broader inner portion.

Thus, to wind a light strand, the user need not hold the end of the light strand while making the first few windings of the light strand. Instead, the user may insert a portion of the light strand near and end of the light strand into one of the light strand channels 24, and may then release the light strand, knowing that the light strand will be secured within the light strand channel 24. As may be appreciated, while the light strand channel on either jaw of the apparatus 10 may be used, it will typically be easier to remove the light strand from the apparatus if only the light strand channel 24 on the fixed jaw 16 is used. This is because removing the light strand from the light strand channel 24 is easier after some slack is provided to the wound light strand by opening the openable jaw 18 and releasing one end of the wound light strand from the apparatus 10. Of course, this consideration is of less importance for embodiments with two openable jaws 18 instead of one fixed jaw 16 and one openable jaw 18.

Once the light strand is secured in the light strand channel 24, the user can wind the light strand around the apparatus 10, with the light strand resting within the jaws during the winding operation. If an entire light strand is wound around the apparatus 10 and room remains in the jaws, the user may elect to continue winding one or more additional light strands on the apparatus 10 until the jaws are full, such as by plugging in an end of the second or third light strand into the plug of the light strand already wound on the apparatus. When the entire light strand (or light strands) is wound on the apparatus 10, the user can secure the wound light strand in the wound configuration, may open the openable jaw 18, and may remove the wound light strand from the openable jaw 18 and then the fixed jaw 18.

As may be readily appreciated, it is desirable that the wound light strand remain in the wound configuration when it is removed from the apparatus 10. Therefore, as set forth above, the wound light strand is optionally secured in the wound configuration before it is removed from the apparatus 10. Any number of means may be used to secure the light strand in the wound configuration, including twist ties, cable ties, elastic securing means, strings, ropes, etc., and one of skill in the art will readily recognize the many different means for securing that may be used besides those specifically enumerated herein. Typically, there is enough room between the body 14 of the apparatus 10 and the wound light strand to pass the securing means between the wound light strand and the body 14, allowing one or more securing means to be secured before the wound light strand is removed.

Alternatively, a securing means channel 26 may be formed in the handle 14 or even within the fixed jaw 16 to receive a securing means to assist in securing the wound light strand in the wound configuration. The securing means channel 26 is best visible within the fixed jaw 16 in FIG. 7. When the securing means channel 26 is located within the fixed jaw 16, it may have a substantially-smooth curved configuration, to allow a securing means, such as a twist tie or cable tie to be inserted into one end of the securing means channel 26, and to be pushed through the securing means channel 26 until it exits the far end of the securing means channel 26. In embodiments of the fixed jaw 16 having both the securing means channel 26 and the light strand channel 24, the securing means channel 26 may be deeper than the light strand channel 24, so that the operation of pushing the securing means through the securing means channel 26 may be performed even when the light strand is secured in the light strand channel 24, and even when the light strand is in its fully wound configuration on the apparatus 10.

In some embodiments, the securing means channel 26 may be formed so as to secure the securing means, whereby the securing means may be pushed through the securing means channel 26 before the light strand is wound on the apparatus 10. For example, the securing means channel 26 may have a cross section with a narrow opening and broader inner portion similar to the cross section of the light strand channel 24. By way of example only, the narrow opening of the securing means channel 26 may have a width of approximately three millimeters, while the broader inner portion of the securing means channel 26 may have a width of approximately seven millimeters. In some embodiments, the broader inner portion of the light strand channel 24 may be approximately circular in cross section to provide more room for the light strand, the broader inner portion of the securing means channel 26 may have a flat bottom to guide the securing means as it is pushed through the securing means channel 26.

Whether the light strand is wound on the apparatus 10 before or after the securing means is passed through the securing means channel 26, the securing means may secure the light strand in the wound position before the wound light strand is removed from the apparatus 10. As discussed previously, the wound light strand may be removed from the apparatus to allow winding of additional light strands by opening the openable jaw 18. While the openable jaw 18 may open by any means known in the art, such as by having one jaw member be removable, by having one jaw member be hinged, or by having one jaw member be otherwise moveable so as to be out of the way of removing the wound light strand, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 includes the moveable jaw member 22. The moveable jaw member 22 is moveable in the manner illustrated by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The moveable jaw member 22 is normally locked into its light-strand-securing position so that it does not inadvertently release the wound light strand before it is desired to do so. In some embodiments, the moveable jaw member may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased into the locked position. The moveable jaw member 22 may be released from its light-stand-securing position by any number of methods, such as by pressing a release button on the body 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the moveable jaw member 22 is released by grasping the moveable jaw member 22, such as at thumb pads 28, and by pulling downward (i.e. in a direction to broaden the openable jaw 18). Once the moveable jaw member 22 is pulled downward, it may be rotated in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 until it reaches the position of FIG. 5. Once the moveable jaw member 22 is in the position of FIG. 5, the wound light strand may be easily removed from the apparatus 10 in the manner discussed above.

As may be appreciated, when the wound light strand it to be used again, it may be placed on the apparatus 10 in the position of FIG. 5, and the openable jaw 18 may be closed in reverse fashion to that described above. After the openable jaw 18 is placed in its light-strand-securing position, the apparatus 10 may be used to unwind the light strand for re-use of the light strand. Because the light strand is unwound in substantially the same way that it is wound, the number of tangles are reduced, and unwinding becomes a simpler issue using the apparatus 10.

Embodiments of the apparatus 10 may incorporate additional features to assist in the winding and unwinding operations. For example, as mentioned above, the handle 12 may be attached to the body 14 via a rotatable connection. With a rotatable connection, the user may simply hold on to the handle 12, and either rotate the body 14 or allow the body to rotate 14 (such as in the case of unwinding the light strand) to speed the winding/unwinding procedure. In addition, a finger hole 30 may be provided at a distal end of the elongate body 14, such as on the fixed jaw 16, to assist with winding. The finger hole 30 is best visible in FIGS. 8 and 9. The user may insert his or her finger or thumb into the finger hole 30, and may then more easily rotate the body 14 or more easily control the speed of rotation during unwinding. If the handle 12 is connected to the body in a position offset from the center, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the user is thereby able to apply more torque with less force at the finger hole 30 than if the handle 12 were connected at the midpoint of the body 14.

Rotation of the handle 12 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to make the handle 12 lockable in one or more positions, such as the two positions in line with the body. This is particularly illustrated with respect to the illustrations of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus 10 as depicted in FIGS. 11- 14. FIGS. 11 and 14 illustrate the handle 12 in a first locked position (with the handle 12 extending toward the openable jaw 18), while FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the handle 12 in a second locked position (with the handle 12 extending toward the fixed jaw 16). To control locking and unlocking of the handle 12, a thumb button 32 or other releasing device may be provided on the handle 12 or body.

The thumb button 32 or other releasing device may be selectively slidable into one of two positions (released and locked) and may remain in the selected position without action by the user. Alternatively, the thumb button 32 may be biased to the locked position, and may automatically return to the locked position unless the user maintains pressure on the thumb button 32. Further alternatively, the thumb button 32 may be biased to the locked position, but may be augmented by a selector that holds the thumb button 32 in the released position when activated. When the thumb button 32 is released or moved to the release position, the handle 12 may immediately lock its position, or it may allow the body 14 to rotate until the handle 12 and body 14 are in line, and then the handle 12 may lock. Using the selectively rotating handle 12 and the finger hole 30, easily controlled rotation of the body 14 may be achieved.

The body 14 provides a location that may be used to provide storage, such as a securing means storage 34 for storing twist ties or other securing means. The securing means storage 34 may be covered by a storage lid 36. The securing means storage 34 and storage lid 36 are shown in close up in FIG. 10. The securing means storage 34 and storage lid 36 may be placed at any convenient location on the body 14, or even in the handle 12.

Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate the materials that may be used to make the various components of the apparatus 10. Without limitation, such materials include plastics, metals, composites, and any other suitably durable and strong material. Additionally, different materials may be used for the different components, and the materials may be mixed as desired for functional and stylistic purposes.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for winding light strands, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a first jaw attached to the body at the first end;

a second jaw attached to the body at the second end, wherein the second jaw is an openable jaw for releasing light strands after they have been wound on the apparatus without removing a portion of the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands and for unwinding wound light strands; and

a handle attached to the body between the first jaw and the second jaw.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is elongate between the first jaw and the second jaw.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first jaw in an openable jaw.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is attached to the body at a midpoint of the body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is attached to the body at a location offset from a midpoint of the body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is rotatably attached to the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is selectively rotatably attached to the body.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the handle is selectively fixable at two rotational locations relative to the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the two rotational locations are in-line with the body.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second jaw comprises:

a fixed jaw member; and

a moveable jaw member, wherein the moveable jaw member is selectively moveable to open the openable jaw.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a light strand channel configured to receive and secure a light strand to permit the light strand to be wound around the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securing means channel configured to receive a means for securing a light strand, wherein the means for securing a light strand is inserted into the securing means channel and is secured about the light strand wound on the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securing means channel is located in the first jaw.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securing means storage located on the body.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a finger hole located on one of the first jaw and the second jaw for rotating the apparatus during winding and unwinding light strands.

16. An apparatus for winding light strands, comprising:

an elongate body having a first end and a second end;

a fixed jaw attached to the elongate body at the first end;

an openable jaw attached to the elongate body at the second end for releasing light strands after they have been wound on the apparatus without removing a portion of the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands and for unwinding wound light strands; and

a handle selectively rotatably attached to the elongate body between the fixed jaw and the openable jaw.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the openable jaw comprises:

a fixed jaw member; and

a moveable jaw member, wherein the moveable jaw member is selectively moveable to open the openable jaw.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fixed jaw further comprises:

a light strand channel within the fixed jaw configured to receive and secure a light strand to permit the light strand to be wound around the apparatus; and

a securing means channel substantially perpendicularly crossing the light strand channel within the fixed jaw and configured to receive a means for securing a light strand, wherein the means for securing a light strand is inserted into the securing means channel and is secured about the light strand wound on the apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the moveable jaw member is configured to open the openable jaw by being pulled downward and rotated.

20. An apparatus for winding light strands, comprising:

an elongate body having a first end and a second end;

a fixed jaw attached to the elongate body at the first end comprising: a light strand channel within the fixed jaw configured to receive and secure a light strand to permit the light strand to be wound around the apparatus; and a securing means channel substantially perpendicularly crossing the light strand channel within the fixed jaw and configured to receive a means for securing a light strand, wherein the means for securing a light strand is inserted into the securing means channel and is secured about the light strand wound on the apparatus.

an openable jaw attached to the elongate body at the second end for releasing light strands after they have been wound on the apparatus without removing a portion of the apparatus so that the apparatus may be re-used for winding additional light strands and for unwinding wound light strands, the openable jaw comprising: a fixed jaw member; and a moveable jaw member that is selectively moveable to open the openable jaw; and

a handle selectively rotatably attached to the elongate body between the fixed jaw and the openable jaw.