Cable Storage Case With Articulating Door
A case can simultaneously enclose an object and restrain an associated cable, which can be attached to the object. The case has a base having an interior recess for storing the object and one or more peripheral recesses along the perimeter of the case that form winding areas for wrapping the associated cable. One or more doors are pivotably attached to the base so as to removably cover at least a portion of the winding areas to restrain the cable therein. One or more doors can be hinged on either side, bottom, or in the middle of the base. The one or more doors can also cover at least a portion of the interior recess to secure the object in the interior recess.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cases for storing accessories, and in particular, to a cable storage case having one or more articulating doors that can restrain a cable and can also hold an associated object which may be attached to the cable.
2. Background Art
Cable storage devices typically include, for example, cable ties, twist ties, and velcro ties. As used herein, a cable can include any elongated flexible material (e.g., rope, chain, line, wire, cord, or string; a woven or twisted length of fabric, metal, or plastic; a length of extruded or cast metal or plastic or metal). Cable storage devices can also include boxlike housings typically consisting of a box and a detachable lid, which can store a wide range of other objects in addition to the cable. For example, such housings can include a headphones container (holding headphones and their associated cabling) and a fish tackle box (holding fishing lures and their associated cabling, i.e., fishing line). The box can be internally divided to provide separate compartments for accommodating the cable and other objects which may be attached to the cable. For example, one compartment is configured to contain the headphones or fishing lure, and another compartment is configured to contain the associated cable. In some instances, the associated cable may be permanently secured to the headphones or fishing lure, respectively. The cable connected to the headphones or lure is therefore rolled up and accommodated in the box in addition to the headphones or lure. Typically, the cable is rolled up randomly, generally becoming tangled. The cable can be disentangled only with difficulty and often kinks are formed in the cable. Such treatment will eventually lead to damage to the cable, rendering the associated object (e.g., headphones or lure) unusable unless the cable can be repaired or replaced. Moreover, the disorderly cable may project out of the box, making it difficult to secure the lid thereto. Also, the lid can be misplaced or lost when it is removed from the box during retrieval or storage of the cable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn broad terms, a cable storage case provides a housing designed to enable an orderly accommodation of a cable or a cabled item. The cabled item can include an object and an associated cable, which can be attached to the object. The case is provided with one or more articulating doors. For example, the case can be designed to store cabled items such as headphones, power cords, fishing line, sailing equipment, audio/visual equipment, telecom/networking products, jewelry, medical devices, toys, and games. The case can simultaneously enclose the object and restrain the associated cable. The case has a base having an interior recess for storing the object and one or more peripheral recesses along the perimeter of the base that form respective winding areas for wrapping the associated cable. One or more doors are pivotably attached to the base so as to removably cover at least a portion of the winding areas to restrain the cable therein. One or more doors can be hinged on either side, bottom, or in the middle of the base. The one or more doors can also cover at least a portion of the interior recess of the base to secure the object in the interior recess.
Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention by way of example, and not by way of limitation. The drawings together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other applications.
In embodiments presented herein, a cable storage case includes one or more articulating doors. The case is designed to hold items that include an object with an associated cable. A cable can include any elongated flexible material (e.g., elongated rope, chain, line, wire, cord, or string; a woven or twisted length of fabric, metal, or plastic; a length of extruded or cast metal or plastic or metal). Exemplary items that can be held by the case include headphones, power cords, fishing line, sailing equipment, audio visual equipment, telecom networking products, jewelry, medical devices, toys and games. The case can simultaneously enclose the object and restrain the associated cable. Exemplary embodiments of a case will now be described with reference to the figures.
An exemplary case 10 is shown in
One or more doors are provided on base 12 for restraining the cable (e.g., cable 44) within winding areas 37 formed by recesses 36. The one or more doors can also be configured to cover all or part of interior recess 34 and all or part of channel recess 32, so as to secure the object (e.g., ear buds 42) within base 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
Each C-shaped side portion 22a and 22b has a lower and upper tapered end 24a and 24b that oppose each other and define an opening 23 (see
Each door 14 and 16 articulates on base 12. C-shaped side portions 22a and 22b of each door are in contact with peripheral recess 36 of base 12 and are rotatably mounted in recess 36. A recessed circular track 19 is formed in a peripheral edge of peripheral recess 36 where arcuate surface 36 meets a cam recess 11. Cam recess 11 is provided in respective lower side 12c and upper side 12d of base 12 immediately adjacent to peripheral recess 36. C-shaped side portions 22a and 22b of each door 14 and 16 are disposed on cam recess 11 of sides 12c and 12d of base 12. Each C-shaped side portion 22a and 22b has a rail 28 provided along an interior surface and fitted into respective tracks 19 of peripheral recess 36 at lower and upper sides 12c and 12d of base 12 (best shown in
When case 10 is in an open position (see
Also in the closed position, planar top portion 20 of doors 14 and 16 cover interior recess 34 and channel 32, thereby securing an object (e.g., ear buds 42) stored therein (see
In some embodiments, rotation of doors 14 and 16 to the open position can be limited by base 12. As shown in
To maintain doors 14 and 16 in the closed position, C-shaped side portions 22a and 22b of doors 14 and 16 can be fitted on base 12 so that the friction between side portions 22a and 22b and base 12 serves to doors 14 and 16 in a closed position without requiring a further securing means to prevent unwanted opening of doors 14 and 16. In some embodiments, a securing means is provided to couple doors 14 and 16 to base 12 in the closed position. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, door 14 and/or door 16 can be provided with spring(s) biasing the doors open and/or closed, so as to permit the door to remain open and/or closed by spring bias after the door has been rotated beyond a certain point. For example, the door can have a biased-close spring, in which the door is spring biased closed after the door has been rotated toward the closed position past a certain point. In such embodiments, when the door is in the open position, a latch can be provided to maintain the door open against the biased-close spring. The door can be have a biased-open spring that biases the door open once the door has been rotated open beyond a certain point. A release mechanism can be provided to release the latch or biased-open spring and allow the door to spring back closed under spring bias. For example, in some embodiments, a knob can be used to overcome the spring bias of the biased-close spring to extend doors 14 and 16 open and a press button can be used to release a latch on the biased-close spring so that doors 14 and 16 slam shut. Doors 14 and 16 can be spring biased using any spring configuration known to one of skill in the art, including a torsion spring, for example. In some embodiments, such as will be described with referenced to
In some embodiments, door 14 and/or door 16 can also be configured to close off recess 36 such that winding area 37 is not exposed on left and right sides 12a and 12b of base 12 when case 10 is in the closed position.
Door 14′ (and 16′) can rotate around arcuate surface 36a so as to position wall 29 within recesses 22a and 52b when case 50 is in the open position as shown in
A further variation of case 10 is illustrated in the embodiment of
Additional embodiments of a case having one or more articulating doors will now be described with respect to the embodiments of
While one latch 64 is shown in the embodiment illustrated, it should be understood that a plurality of latches 64 can be pivotably attached to base 62 at spaced apart positions on side periphery 66. In some embodiments, latch 64 can be similar in configuration as a C-shaped side portion 22a (or 22b) of earlier described doors 14 and 14″. Thus, latch 64 has a C-shape when in the side view. C-shaped latch 64 can also include restraining portion 26 extending between lower and upper tapered ends 24a and 24b that define opening 23 for receiving a cable. When C-shaped latch 64 is an open position, tapered ends 24b and 24a face outwardly away from base 62, and opening 23 communicates with peripheral recess 86. In this open position (which is illustrated in
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Thus, additional configurations are within the scope of the invention. For example, a door mounted on base 12 can be hinged on either side, bottom or in the middle of base 12, or any combination thereof. For example, a case have a single door or double doors that are hinged in the middle of base 12. A door hinged in the middle of base 12 can rotate similar to a butterfly wing to cover a winding area 37 of base 12. Moreover, in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the door(s) attached to the base can be spring loaded as earlier described so as to stay open after a certain point and/or be spring loaded so as to stay closed after a certain point. The case can have a corresponding latch or release mechanism for selectively maintaining and releasing the load on the spring. Further variations should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, wrapping of cable 44 around the periphery of base 12 can be facilitated by providing a rotating disk coupled to base 12 that is rotated by the user so that base 12 rotates and winds cable 44.
It should also be apparent that the directional terminology used herein is provided for convenience only and not limitation. For example, in some embodiments, case 10 shown in the embodiment of
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. In addition, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A case comprising:
- a base including a side surface having a peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving a cable; and
- a door having a restraining portion contacting the peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the recess, the door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion traverses at least a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the winding area.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base.
3. The case of claim 2, wherein the interior recess has a contoured surface substantially corresponding to a shape of the object receivable therein, the contoured surface being configured to secure the object in the interior recess by an interference fit.
4. The case of claim 3, wherein the door includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
5. The case of claim 4, wherein the top portion is configured to cover substantially the entirety of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
6. The case of claim 5, wherein the top portion of the door has a planar surface.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the door includes upper and lower portions that extend from respective opposite ends of the restraining portion, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view, wherein the upper and lower portions have respective upper and lower tapered ends that oppose each other, the tapered ends defining an opening through which the cable is permitted to pass into the peripheral recess when the door is in the second position,
- wherein, in the first position, the tapered ends face inwardly toward the base and the restraining portion faces outwardly traversing the portion of the peripheral recess, and
- wherein, in the second position, the tapered ends face outwardly so that the portion of the peripheral recess is accessible through the opening defined by the tapered ends faces.
8. The case of claim 7, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion forming the C-shape define an arcuate interior surface of the door, wherein the peripheral recess has an arcuate interior surface substantially corresponding to the arcuate interior surface of the door.
9. The claims of claim 8, wherein the door is a latch that is configured to traverse only a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the winding area.
10. The case of claim 8, wherein the arcuate interior surface of the peripheral recess has a recessed track, and wherein the arcuate interior surface of the door has a rail extending into the recessed track, wherein the rail is moved along the recess track when the door is rotated between the first position and the second position.
11. The case of claim 1, wherein the door has a second restraining portion laterally spaced apart from the first restraining portion, the second restraining portion contacting the peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the recess, the door having an elongated lateral portion connecting the first and second restraining portions together,
- wherein the door includes second upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the second restraining portion, wherein the second upper and lower portions and the second restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.
12. The case of claim 1, wherein the base has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side periphery including the side surface, wherein the side periphery defines all sides of the base extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the peripheral recess extends along substantially the entirety of the side periphery.
13. The case of claim 1, wherein the base includes a second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a second cable winding area for receiving the cable.
14. The case of claim 13, wherein the door has a second restraining portion spaced apart from the first restraining portion, the second restraining portion traversing at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position.
15. The case of claim 14, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other, and
- wherein the first and second restraining portions extend vertically, wherein the door includes a top portion that extends horizontally from the first restraining portion to the second restraining portion.
16. The case of claim 14, wherein the top surface of the base has an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, and wherein top portion of the door is configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
17. The case of claim 13, further comprising a second door having a second restraining portion contacting the second peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the second peripheral recess, the second door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the second restraining portion traverses at least a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the second winding area.
18. The case of claim 17, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other.
19. The case of claim 1, wherein the peripheral recess includes an interior surface with an indentation having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an end of the cable, the indentation being configured to secure the end of the cable therein by an interference fit.
20. A case comprising:
- a base including a first side surface and a second side surface that faces opposite of the first side surface, the first side surface having a first peripheral recess that forms a first cable winding area for receiving a cable, and the second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a second cable winding area for receiving the cable;
- a first door having a restraining portion rotatably mounted on the base, the first door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion of the first door traverses at least a portion of the first peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the first winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the first peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion of the first door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the first winding area; and
- a second door having a restraining portion rotatably mounted on the base, the second door being configured to rotate between a second position in which the restraining portion of the second door traverses at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion of the second door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the second winding area.
21. The case of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second doors includes upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the restraining portion, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.
22. The case of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second doors has an elongated lateral portion and a second restraining portion laterally spaced apart from the first restraining portion and rotatably mounted on the base, the elongated lateral portion connecting the first and second restraining portions together,
- the second restraining portion of the first door traversing at least a portion of the first peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the first winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the first peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position,
- the second restraining portion of the second door traversing at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position.
23. The case of claim 22, wherein each of the first and second doors include second upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the second restraining portion, wherein the second upper and lower portions and the second restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.
24. The case of claim 23, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base.
25. The case of claim 24, wherein the elongated lateral portion of each of the first and second doors includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
26. The case of claim 20, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, and wherein each of the first and second doors includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
27. The case of claim 20, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other.
28. A case comprising:
- a base including a first side surface and a second side surface that faces opposite of the first side surface, the first side surface having a first peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving a cable, and the second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving the cable, wherein each of the first and second peripheral recesses has an arcuate interior surface, and wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other; and
- a door connected to the base by a living hinge, the door having a restraining portion being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion traverses at least a portion of at least one of the first and second peripheral recesses for restraining the cable in the winding area formed by that peripheral recess, and a second position in which the at least one of the first and second peripheral recesses are unobstructed by the door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the winding area of that peripheral recess.
29. The case of claim 28, wherein the base, the door and the living hinge together form a monolithic structure.
30. The case of claim 28, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, the interior recess being separate and distinct from the first and second peripheral recesses.
31. The case of claim 30, wherein the restraining portion of the door includes a top portion configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 28, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 29, 2013
Applicant: Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA)
Inventors: Kurt R. STIEHL (San Francisco, CA), Jack J. WANDERMAN (Minnetonka, MN)
Application Number: 13/407,410
International Classification: B65D 71/00 (20060101); B65H 75/44 (20060101); B65D 25/02 (20060101);