Line storage device

• US 6,234,418 B1
• Filed: 10/07/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evan Donaldson
• Original Assignee: Evan Donaldson
• Inventors: Donaldson, Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, JOHN QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/414,682
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 242/397, 242/402, 242/405.1, 242/407, 242/580, 242/614, 191/12.2 R
• US Class Current: 242/402
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/28 Arrangements for positively securing ends of material
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A line storage device, for storing a line having two ends and a length, comprising a first plate and a second plate which are joined by a core. The first plate and second plate both have an outer side and an inner side. The plates are joined such that their inner sides face each other yet are separated by a substantially uniform gap. The outer surface of the first plate has several semicircular clips which allow the line to wind once around the circumference, and a pass through opening which then allows the line to pass through the first plate to the inner side thereof. An S-shaped channel in the first plate protrudes from the outer side of the first plate, but is open on the inner side thereof. The S-shaped channel allows the line to enter said channel at the pass-through opening, travel therethrough and exit at the core. Once the line exits the S-shaped channel at the core, it winds around the core numerous times in the gap between the plates to effect storage of the entire length of line. The line is then selectively secured to the second plate with a spiral clip.

Claims

1. A line storage device, for storing and deploying a line having two ends and a length between the two ends, comprising:

a core;

a first plate and a second plate, each circular in shape having an outer circumference, the first plate and second plate each having an inner side and an outer side, the first plate and second plate each having a flat portion, the first plate and second plate joined by the core such that their inner sides face each other, wherein the first plate and second plate extend substantially parallel at their flat portions such that a space of uniform width is created therebetween; and

the first plate having a pass-through opening between the inner side and outer side thereof near the outer circumference, the first plate having an S-shaped channel extending from adjacent to the pass-through opening to the core, the S-shaped channel having a tangential opening near the core, the S-shaped channel protruding from the outer side of the first plate but open at the inner side of the first plate, such that the line may travel through the pass-through opening into the S-shaped channel thereat, the line exiting the S-shaped channel adjacent to the core at the tangential opening and then winding around the core numerous times to effect storage of the length of line, wherein the line winds over and across the S-shaped channel without interference therefrom.

2. The line storage device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of semicircular clips, each located near the outer circumference on the outer side of the first plate, including a first semicircular clip and a last semicircular clip, the first and last semicircular clip located on opposite sides of the pass-through opening, so that one end of the line may be attached into the first semicircular clip, the line then attaching into each of the semicircular clips until the last semicircular clip is reached, before the line then extends into the pass-through opening.

3. The line storage device of claim 2, wherein the first plate and second plate each have a flange lip extending outward, the semicircular clips located on the flange lip of the first plate.

4. The line storage device of claim 3, wherein the second plate further comprises a plurality of slots on its flange lip.

5. The line storage device of claim 4, further comprising at least one spiral clip, the spiral clip comprising a wrapping portion and a clipping portion, the wrapping portion wraps around the line and the clipping portion secures into one of the slots to secure the line to the second plate thereat.

6. The line storage device of claim 5, wherein the wrapping portion of the spiral clip comprises a coil having an open end and a fixed end, the fixed end attached to the clipping portion.

7. The line storage device of claim 6, wherein the clipping portion comprises a tab having a tab body sized to fit snugly within one of the slots, and a pair of flexible projections which flex inward to allow the tab body to pass into the slot from the inner side of the second plate, and then flex outward at the outer side of the second plate to secure the tab in the slot.