Portable cord station

• US 20060138270A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.), Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Fiskars Brands Incorporated (Fiskars Oyj Abp)
• Inventors: Schaffner, Mark A., Kramer, Thomas E., Thao, Fusu, Lichtscheidl, Kristine E.
• Application Number:
  US11/024,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20060138270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/396.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/403 Carriage with wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4465 Foldable or collapsible

Abstract

A portable cord station includes a body and a reel rotatably coupled to the body. A handle system is coupled to the body and configured for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A mobility system is coupled to the body to permit movement of the body and the reel relative to a work surface. A locking system is coupled to the body and movable between a first position and a second position to provide a locking interaction with the reel.

Claims

1. A portable cord station, comprising:

a body;

a reel rotatably coupled to the body;

a handle system coupled to the body and configured for movement between an extended position and a retracted position;

a mobility system coupled to the body and configured to permit movement of the body and the reel relative to a work surface; and

a locking system coupled to the body and movable between a first position and a second position to provide a locking interaction with the reel.

2. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the handle system comprises at least one telescopingly extendable and retractable member.

3. The portable cord station of claim 2 further comprising a handle portion coupled to the telescopingly extendable and retractable member and extending at least partially over the reel.

4. The portable cord station of claim 2 wherein the telescopingly extendable and retractable member is spring biased toward one of the extended position and the retracted position.

5. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the handle system comprises at least one foldable member configured to articulate about a hinged joint for movement between the extended position and the retracted position.

6. The portable cord station of claim 5 wherein the foldable member comprises at least two pairs of elongated members pivotally coupled at the hinged joint.

7. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises an integrally formed carrying handle extending at least partially over the reel.

8. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the handle system comprises at least one panel member configured for telescopic expansion and retraction relative to the body.

9. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the mobility system comprises at least one rotatable member.

10. The portable cord station of claim 9 wherein the rotatable member comprises a wheel.

11. The portable cord station of claim 10 wherein a lower surface of the wheel is disposed at an elevation above a lower surface of the body.

12. The portable cord station of claim 11 wherein the lower surface of the body is pivotally movable above the lower surface of the wheel to facilitate movement of the body and the reel.

13. The portable cord station of claim 10 wherein the wheel is substantially concealed by the body.

14. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the lower surface of the body further comprises at least one pad.

15. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the locking system comprises a spring-biased member configured to engage an opening on the reel.

16. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the locking system comprises a lever having a hook portion configured to engage the reel.

17. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the locking system comprises a member having a cam profile movable to create a frictional interaction with the reel.

18. The portable cord station of claim 1 wherein the locking system comprises a flexible member configured to interact with the reel and create a resistance to rotation of the reel.

19. A portable cord station comprising:

a body having a mounting surface;

a cord storage device rotatably coupled to the mounting surface;

at least one rotatable member coupled to the body adjacent a lower edge area of the body;

a handle device coupled to the body and movable between a first position and a second position.

20. The portable cord station of claim 19 further comprising a biasing device configured to bias the cord storage device in a rotational direction.

21. The portable cord station of claim 19 wherein the cord storage device further comprises a utility connection device.

22. The portable cord station of claim 19 wherein the body further comprises a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the handle device when the handle device is in the first position.

23. The portable cord station of claim 19 wherein the handle device in the second position is configured to tilt the body from a first position where the wheels are substantially free from contact with a surface and a second position where the wheels engage the surface to at least partially support the body and cord storage device and facilitate movement of the body and cord storage device.

24. The portable cord station of claim 19 wherein the handle device is configured for carrying the body and the cord storage device in the first position and to wheel the body and the cord storage device in the second position.

25. The portable cord station of claim 19 further comprising a locking system coupled to the body and configured to engage the cord storage device to substantially prevent movement of the cord storage device relative to the body.

26. The portable cord station of claim 25 wherein the locking system comprises at least one of a plunger, a cam member, a hook member and a flexible member.

27. The portable cord station of claim 19 wherein the body is pivotable about the wheel between a stationary configuration and a mobile configuration.

28. A portable cord station, comprising:

a cord storage device;

a frame having a support surface for receiving the cord storage device and a lower surface;

at least one rotational member operably coupled to the frame adjacent the lower surface of the frame;

a handle member coupled to the frame and movable between a storage position and an extended position;

so that the handle in the extended position is movable from a first orientation where the lower portion of the frame engages the floor surface and the rotational member is substantially free from contact with the floor surface and a second orientation where the lower surface of the frame is substantially free from contact with the floor surface and the rotational member is configured to engage the floor surface for transporting the cord storage device.

29. The portable cord station of claim 28 wherein the frame further comprises a compartment to at least partially receive the handle member.

30. The portable cord station of claim 28 wherein the cord storage device comprises a reel configured for rotation relative to the frame.

31. The portable cord station of claim 30 further comprising a locking system configured to substantially prevent rotation of the reel.

32. The portable cord station of claim 31 wherein the locking system comprises a twist-lock device.

33. The portable cord station of claim 31 wherein the locking system comprises at least one flexible fin member coupled to the frame and configured to engage the reel.

34. The portable cord station of claim 31 wherein the locking system comprises a member having a cam profile and movable between an unlocked position where the cam profile is substantially free of contact with the reel and a locked position wherein the cam profile engages the reel in a frictional interaction.

35. The portable cord station of claim 31 wherein the locking system comprises a lever having a hook member configured to releasably engage a portion of the reel.

36. The portable cord station of claim 28 wherein the handle member in the stored position is configured to provide a carry handle for a user.