Reel dispenser for power cord application

• US 6,439,360 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TMC Enterprises
• Original Assignee: TMC Enterprises A Divison of Tasco Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US09/483,148
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 191/12.2 R, 191/12.4, 191/12.R, 242/107, 242/106, D13/137.4, 174/135, 439/501
• US Class Current: 191/12.20R
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/446 for releasably or permanently attaching the frame to a wall, on a floor or on a post or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

An extension cord reel assembly having a housing which has a spool portion and a mounting portion is provided. A spool member having at least one flange member that is continuously welded to a surface upon which the extension cord is to be stored is positioned within the spool portion of the housing. The mounting portion of the housing of the reel assembly is positioned adjacent an outer perimeter of the spool member and is adapted to attach to a suspension member from which the reel assembly can be suspended above the ground.

Claims

1. An extension cord reel assembly comprising:

a housing having edges and faces so as to define a cavity having a spool portion and a mounting portion wherein the mounting portion cavity is positioned at an outer perimeter of the spool portion of the cavity and wherein an access opening is formed in the housing adjacent the spool portion of the cavity;

a suspension assembly coupled to the housing adjacent the mounting portion of the housing wherein the suspension assembly includes a suspension member mounted so as to extend outward from the edge to allow the suspension member to be mounted on an exposed surface, such that the housing can pivot with respect to the exposed surface in two directions and wherein the suspension assembly comprises;

a U-shaped bracket having two side members and an interconnecting member wherein the two side members are connected to the housing adjacent the mounting portion of the housing; and

the suspension member attached to the interconnecting member so as to allow the housing to be suspended above the ground by engagement between the suspension member and a suspension location and wherein the suspension assembly is attached to the housing such that the spool portion of the housing is located beneath the connection point of the U-shaped bracket to the mounting portion of the housing and wherein the suspension assembly further includes one or more reinforcing members that extend between the two side members of the U-shaped bracket in the mounting portion of the housing;

a spool member mounted within the spool portion of the housing wherein an electrical cord is stored on the spool member and can exit the cavity via the access opening in the housing; and

a circuit breaker having a push button wherein the push button of the circuit breaker is mounted in a cutout formed in one of the side members of the U-shaped bracket so that the button is at least partially protected by the side member of the U-shaped bracket.

2. An extension cord reel assembly comprising:

a housing defining an outer perimeter and a cavity wherein an access opening is formed in the outer perimeter of the housing;

a suspension assembly attached to the outer perimeter of the housing wherein the suspension assembly is adapted to permit the housing to be suspended from an elevated protrusion and retained on the elevated protrusion wherein the suspension assembly comprises;

a U-shaped bracket having two side members and an interconnecting member wherein the two side members are connected to the housing adjacent the mounting portion of the housing;

a suspension member attached to the interconnecting member so as to allow the housing to be suspended above the ground by engagement between the suspension member and a suspension location wherein the suspension assembly is attached to the housing such that the spool portion of the housing is located beneath the connection point of the U-shaped bracket to the mounting portion of the housing; and

one or more reinforcing members that extend between the two side members of the U-shaped bracket in the retainer portion of the housing;

a spool member mounted within the spool portion of the housing wherein the spool member is comprised of a cylindrical member having a first and a second end defining a cylindrical surface wherein a fixed flange member is integrally formed at the first end of the cylindrical member wherein the spool member also includes a detached flange member that is mounted to the second end so as to extend outward from the cylindrical surface wherein the detached flange member is attached to the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical member via a weld at the interface between the circular surface and the flange;

an electrical cord positioned on the cylindrical surface so as to be retained thereon by the detached flange member such that a portion of the electrical cord extends outward through the access opening in the housing; and

a circuit breaker having a push button wherein the push button of the circuit breaker is mounted in a cutout formed in one of the side members of the U-shaped bracket so that the button is at least partially protected by the raised side member of the U-shaped bracket.