Units for storing flexible elongated objects

• US 6,962,306 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald R. West
• Original Assignee: Ronald R. West
• Inventors: West, Ronald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ
• Application Number:
  US10/619,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20040007640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 242/388.6, 242/401, 242/402, 242/405.1, 242/405.2
• US Class Current: 242/405.2
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/412 details or the parts to be hold by the user, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/06 Flat cores, e.g. cards

Abstract

Units for storing flexible elongated objects are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit includes a left end portion and a right end portion. An upper left recess and a lower left recess are disposed in the left end portion. The upper left recess is located between a left upper post and a left center post, and the lower left recess is located between the left center post and a left lower post. An upper right recess and a lower right recess are disposed in the right end portion. The upper right recess is located between a right upper post and a right center post, and the lower right recess is located between the right center post and a right lower post. The upper left recess is substantially aligned with the upper right recess, and the lower left recess is substantially aligned with the lower right recess.

Claims

1. A storage unit for storing a flexible elongated object, the storage unit having a storage unit length, the storage unit comprising:

a first winding region having a first winding region length, wherein the first winding region length is parallel to the storage unit length;

a second winding region having a second winding region length, wherein the second winding region length is parallel to the storage unit length;

a tapered slot, comprising at least two successive pairs of nubs on opposite walls of the tapered slot, wherein both pairs of nubs are configured to grip a single cord and wherein the successive pairs of nubs progressively decrease in size according to the distance from an open end of the tapered slot; and

a post between the first winding region and the second winding region.

2. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the tapered slot tapers to a point.

3. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein a first winding region inner length is substantially equal to a second winding region inner length.

4. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the slot is configured to flex.

5. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the post is removable.

6. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising an inner handle, wherein a portion of the handle is located within the first winding region.

7. The storage unit of claim 6, wherein the inner handle comprises a plurality of ribs.

8. The storage unit of claim 6, further comprising an outer handle, wherein a portion of the outer handle is located completely outside the first winding region and the second winding region and the second windings region.

9. A device for storing a flexible elongated object, comprising:

a first portion including;

a handle, having a first end and a second end;

a first retaining portion, including;

a tapered slot having an open end, a closed end, an inner, wall and an outer wall, wherein the closed end of the tapered slot is connected to the first end of the handle, and

a winding region connected to the inner wall of the tapered slot at the open end of the tapered slot designed to retain a winding of the flexible elongated object;

a second retaining portion connected to the second end of the elongated handle, configured to mirror the first retaining portion; and

a second portion connected to the first portion, designed to identically mirror the first portion.

10. The device in claim 9, wherein the handle, tapered slot and winding region are each oriented substantially parallel.

11. The device in claim 10, wherein the winding region has an outer wall that is substantially planar with the outer wall of the tapered slot.

12. The device in claim 11, wherein the tapered slot further comprises a pair of nubs attached to the inner wall and outer wall, configured to act in concert to grip the flexible object.

13. The device in claim 12, further comprising at least two successive pairs of nubs wherein both pairs of nubs are configured to grip, in concert, a single flexible elongated object.

14. The device in claim 13, wherein the successive pairs of nubs progressively decrease in size according to the distance from the open end of the tapered slot.

15. The device in claim 9, further comprising a third retaining portion disposed between the first and the second retaining portions.

16. The device in claim 15, further comprising a fourth retaining portion adjacent to the third retaining portion and disposed between the first and second retaining portions.

17. The device in claim 9, wherein the tapered slot tapers to a point.

18. The device in claim 9, wherein the handle comprises a plurality of ribs.

19. The device in claim 9, further comprising a mounting hole configured to allow the device to be removably attached to a surface.

20. The device of claim 9, further comprising a center post configured to facilitate changing winding direction.