Units for storing flexible elongated objects

• US 20040007640A1
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald R. West
• Original Assignee: Ronald R. West
• Inventors: West, Ronald R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,962,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/402
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/412 details or the parts to be hold by the user, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/06 Flat cores, e.g. cards

Abstract

Units for storing flexible elongated objects are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit includes a left end portion and a right end portion. An upper left recess and a lower left recess are disposed in the left end portion. The upper left recess is located between a left upper post and a left center post, and the lower left recess is located between the left center post and a left lower post. An upper right recess and a lower right recess are disposed in the right end portion. The upper right recess is located between a right upper post and a right center post, and the lower right recess is located between the right center post and a right lower post. The upper left recess is substantially aligned with the upper right recess, and the lower left recess is substantially aligned with the lower right recess.

Claims

1. A storage unit for storing a flexible elongated object, the storage unit having a storage unit length, the storage unit comprising:

a first winding region having a first winding region length, wherein the first winding region length is parallel to the storage unit length;

a second winding region having a second winding region length, wherein the second winding region is parallel to the storage unit length; and

a post between the first winding region and the second winding region.

2. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a slot.

3. The storage unit of claim 2, wherein the slot comprises a plurality of nubs.

4. The storage unit of claim 3, wherein at least two of the plurality of nubs are sharply tapered so as to form a long, narrow region.

5. The storage unit of claim 2, wherein the slot is tapered.

6. The storage unit of claim 2, wherein the slot is configured to flex.

7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the post is removable.

8. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising an inner handle, wherein a portion of the inner handle is located within the first winding region.

9. The storage unit of claim 8, wherein the inner handle comprises a plurality of ribs.

10. The storage unit of claim 8, further comprising an outer handle, wherein a portion of the outer handle is located completely outside the first winding region and the second winding region.

11. A storage unit for storing a flexible elongated object, comprising:

a first winding region having a first winding region length;

a second winding region having a second winding region length; and

a post between the first winding region and the second winding region;

wherein the first winding region length is substantially equal to the second winding region length.

12. The storage unit of claim 11, further comprising a tapered slot that is configured to flex.

13. The storage unit of claim 11, further comprising a slot having a plurality of nubs.

14. A storage unit for storing a flexible elongated object, comprising:

a left end portion;

an upper left recess in the left end portion, the upper left recess being located between a left upper post and a left center post;

a lower left recess in the left end portion, the lower left recess being located between the left center post and a left lower post;

a right end portion;

an upper right recess in the right end portion, the upper right recess being located between a right upper post and a right center post; and

a lower right recess in the right end portion, the lower right recess being located between the right center post and a right lower post, wherein the upper left recess is substantially aligned with the upper right recess, and wherein the lower left recess is substantially aligned with the lower right recess.

15. The storage unit of claim 14, further comprising:

an upper portion;

an upper left slot in the upper portion;

an upper right slot in the upper portion;

a lower portion;

a lower left slot in the lower portion; and

a lower right slot in the lower portion.

16. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein the upper left slot, the upper right slot, the lower left slot, and the lower right slot each comprise a plurality of nubs.

17. The storage unit of claim 16, wherein at least two of the plurality of nubs are sharply tapered so as to form a long, narrow region.

18. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein the upper left slot, the upper right slot, the lower left slot, and the lower right slot are tapered.

19. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein the upper left slot, the upper right slot, the lower left slot, and the lower right slot are configured to flex.

20. The storage unit of claim 15, further comprising:

an upper handle located between the upper left slot and the upper right slot; and

a lower handle located between the lower left slot and the lower right slot.