Cord management system

• US 9,445,178 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CJD LLC (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CJD LLC (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rothbaum, Wayne Philip, Conner, Allison S., Curtis, Robert B., Damon, Jonas K., Sanchez, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US14/140,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20140262864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0263 Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/15 Protecting or guiding telephone cords
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/14 Bale and package ties, hose clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/34 Combined diverse multipart fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3497 Button fastening element including another fastener element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/39 Cord and rope holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3987 Loop, adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A cord management system includes a case and a strap. The strap has a first attachment point at a first location on the strap and a second attachment point a second location on the strap. The strap also includes at least two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the first attachment point is attached to the second attachment point so that a first segment of the strap located between the first attachment point and the second attachment point forms a loop configured to secure a cord that is wrapped around the case. In a second mode of operation, the first attachment point is detached from the second attachment point so that the first segment no longer forms the loop. In some embodiments, the strap is permanently attached to the case, while in other embodiments the strap is semi-permanently attached to the case.

Claims

1. A cord management system, comprising:

a case for an object; and

a strap semi-permanently attached to the case;

the case comprising;

a first attachment region; and

a second attachment region;

the strap comprising;

a first case attachment element at a first location on the strap, the first case attachment element configured to semi-permanently attach to the first attachment region of the case;

a second case attachment element at a second location on the strap, the second case attachment element configured to attach to the second attachment region of the case;

at least one first attachment point at a third location on the strap; and

at least one second attachment point at a fourth location on the strap;

wherein the strap includes at least two modes of operation;

in a first mode of operation;

the first attachment point is attached to the second attachment point; and

the second case attachment element is detached from the second attachment region of the case; and

in a second mode of operation;

the first attachment point is detached from the second attachment point; and

the second case attachment element is semi-permanently attached to the second attachment region of the case.

2. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein in the first mode of operation, a first segment of the strap located between the first attachment point and the second attachment point forms a loop.

3. The cord management system of claim 2, wherein in the second mode of operation, the first segment no longer forms the loop.

4. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the first case attachment element is a magnet and the first attachment region is a magnetic material.

5. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the first case attachment element is a first magnet and the first attachment region is a second magnet.

6. The cord management system of claim 5, wherein the first magnet is stronger than the second magnet.

7. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein, in the first mode of operation and in the second mode of operation, the first case attachment element is semi-permanently attached to the first attachment region of the case.

8. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a cord-attachment mechanism located on the strap.

9. The cord management system of claim 8, wherein the cord-attachment mechanism includes a hole in the strap.

10. The cord management system of claim 9, wherein the hole in the strap includes a grommet.

11. The cord management system of claim 9, wherein the hole is in an elastic portion of the strap, wherein the hole is configured to expand when a cord is inserted into the hole, and wherein when the cord is in the hole, the hole is configured to exert a predetermined force against the cord to removably attach the cord to the strap.

12. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the strap includes a first magnet and a second magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are encapsulated in a polymer material.

13. The cord management system of claim 12, wherein the first magnet provides attractive force between the first case attachment element and the first attachment region of the case, and between the first attachment point and the second attachment point.

14. The cord management system of claim 13, wherein the second magnet provides attractive force between the second case attachment element and the second attachment region of the case, and between the first attachment point and the second attachment point.

15. The cord management system of claim 1, wherein the first case attachment element, the second case attachment element, the first attachment region, and the second attachment region are selected from the group consisting of:

magnets;

magnetic material;

hook and loop attachment mechanisms;

adhesives;

suction devices;

friction mechanisms;

buckles;

hinges;

springs;

bistable springs;

sleeves that insert into slots;

plastic interlocking strip fasteners;

pegs that insert into holes;

snaps;

buttons; and

a van der Waals force attachment mechanism.