Cord storage reel with built-in plug and receptacle panel
First Claim
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1. A storage reel for an electrical cord, for being rotatably supported on an axle attached to a frame, the storage reel comprising:
- a spool having a hollow cylindrical hub of a first diameter, an axial bushing in the hub defining an axis of rotation, and first and second circular, parallel sides of the spool formed integrally with and on opposite ends of the hub, the circular sides having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and
a circuit connecting a standard electrical plug via at least a line and a neutral conductors to a plurality of standard electrical receptacles connected in parallel across the line and neutral conductors and a circuit breaker is connected in the line conductor and centrally located in the first end of the hub coincident with the first side of the spool, wherein the circuit is enclosed within the hub such that the electrical plug is mounted in a recessed cavity in the hub facing away from the axial bushing of the hub, and the plurality of electrical receptacles are mounted in a first end of the hub coincident with the first side of the spool, disposed around the axial bushing in the hub, and accessible from the first side of the spool.
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Abstract
A storage reel for an electrical cord includes a spool and an electrical circuit enclosed therein. The electrical circuit, contained within the hub of the spool, includes a standard AC plug mounted in a recessed cavity in the hub and wired to the line, neutral, and ground terminals of a plurality of standard AC receptacles mounted in an end of the hub on the side of the spool. A circuit breaker is included in the electrical circuit. The receptacle end of an extension cord is connected to the AC plug. The extension cord may then be coiled up around the hub of the spool for storage or transport.
52 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A storage reel for an electrical cord, for being rotatably supported on an axle attached to a frame, the storage reel comprising:
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a spool having a hollow cylindrical hub of a first diameter, an axial bushing in the hub defining an axis of rotation, and first and second circular, parallel sides of the spool formed integrally with and on opposite ends of the hub, the circular sides having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and
a circuit connecting a standard electrical plug via at least a line and a neutral conductors to a plurality of standard electrical receptacles connected in parallel across the line and neutral conductors and a circuit breaker is connected in the line conductor and centrally located in the first end of the hub coincident with the first side of the spool, wherein the circuit is enclosed within the hub such that the electrical plug is mounted in a recessed cavity in the hub facing away from the axial bushing of the hub, and the plurality of electrical receptacles are mounted in a first end of the hub coincident with the first side of the spool, disposed around the axial bushing in the hub, and accessible from the first side of the spool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6)
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3. (canceled)
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7. A storage reel for an electrical cord, comprising:
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a frame having a side portion and an axle extending at a right angle from the side portion;
a spool, having a hollow hub and first and second parallel, discoid sides having a first diameter, each first and second side formed integrally with and disposed respectively on first and second opposite ends of and normal to an axis of the hub, the hub further including a bushing disposed along the axis of the hub for rotatably supporting the hub of the spool on the axle; and
an electrical circuit enclosed in the hub of the spool and having first, second, and third conductors respectively connecting a line, a neutral, and a ground terminal of a standard three-prong AC plug to corresponding line, neutral, and ground terminals of a plurality of standard three-pin AC receptacles, wherein the AC plug is oriented radially outward from the axis of the hub and mounted within a recessed cavity of the hub disposed between the first and second sides of the spool;
circuit breaker connected in series with the line conductor between the line terminal of the AC plug and the line terminals of the plurality of AC receptacles wherein the circuit breaker is centrally mounted in the hub to be accessible for resetting from the first side of the spool; and
a pivoting spool lock mounted on the side portion of the frame is adapted to pivotably engage a proximate one of the radially-disposed openings in the second side of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool on the axle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
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8. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
Specification