An energy chain and storage unit for an energy chain (1) has a first chain portion (3) and a second chain portion (5), wherein the chain links (2) of the first chain portion and the chain links (4) of the second chain portion are connected to one another in a pivotable manner and comprise in each case two side parts (6, 7), which are located opposite one another in a transverse direction (q) in relation to the longitudinal direction (l) of the energy chain and have upper and lower narrow surfaces (8), which are oriented perpendicularly to the transverse direction (q) and to the longitudinal direction (l), wherein at least some of the chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) have guide elements (12), which project outwards in the transverse direction (q) from the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and are intended for guiding on guide tracks (35), which are arranged on the outside of the side parts of the chain links, and at least some of the chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) have roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14), which project beyond the upper or the lower narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and can respectively roll or slide on a region which is located opposite said narrow surfaces (8) and establishes contact with the energy chain (1).

Systems and a method for simulating a flexible retraction cable during motion of an object to which the cable is attached. The method includes receiving information inputs, including a numerical model of the object, receiving cable information inputs and retraction system information inputs. A numerical model of the flexible cable is modeled by modelling only a part of the flexible cable located outside a retraction system as a sequence of control points distributed along a length of the part, wherein each of the control points is submitted to a force representing the interaction of the control point with its environment and wherein the number of control points is fixed. The method further includes storing the numerical model of the flexible cable in a memory and simulating a motion of the flexible cable that would occur during a movement of the object.

An over-the-range microwave appliance includes a pot filler water dispenser for dispensing water to a vessel situated on a cook top below the microwave. The microwave includes a pot filler housing adjacent a cooking cavity that creates a recess into which the pot filler is housed that is not visible from the front of the appliance. The pot filler includes a dispensing hose or conduit that is retractable or retractably mounted within the pot filler housing recess. The dispensing hose is biased into a stowed position and can be pulled against the bias to place the dispensing hose into a deployed condition, thereafter returning to its stowed position.

A selectively deployable cable management device for organizing cables includes a plurality of panels, the panels of which are selectively stackable into a stowed configuration so that a volume of the plurality of panels is minimized. The panels are selectively interconnectable to form a box. A power distribution device, such as a power strip, can be positioned in an interior space defined by the box. Each of a plurality of apertures is positioned in a front facet or respective opposed end facet of the box. The apertures vent the interior space and are used for extension of a power cable from the power distribution device to a source of electrical current and for insertion of a power cord extending to an electronic device to connect and operationally engage the electronic device to the power distribution device.

The hose caddy for expandable hoses comprises a housing formed from a bottom surface and sidewalls to define an open interior. A top is hingedly coupled to the housing to control access to the interior of the housing. A flexible elongated body is coupled to the housing using a guidance rail assembly. The flexible elongated body can be extended or retracted along the guidance rail assembly, and includes a hook for attaching the hose caddy to a water faucet.

The present invention relates generally to medical equipment, more particularly, the use of fluid hoses coupling tanks to cannulas, as part of medical gas therapy, such as oxygen therapy. The invention describes a collection system for managing excess flexible hose that a patient might need to wear for medical reasons such as home oxygen medical therapy. It comprises a collection container, a non-spooling roller system for collecting excess hose into the collection container and extraction from the collection container, and power system to power and control the roller system.

An apparatus may include a substrate material. The substrate material may lay substantially planar along a first axis. The apparatus may also include a plurality of punch-outs consisting of the substrate material and fastened to the substrate material. Each punch-out may be to be removed from the substrate material with an application of force upon each punch-out to create an open space in the substrate material. The apparatus may also include a first plurality of linear joints in the substrate material to allow the substrate material to be folded into a box form including at least five sides. The box form includes an inside portion.

A cable or cord management device comprises a sheath or enclosure that surrounds the cable or cord that facilitates organization and handling of the cable or cord. The management device can include one or more straps configured to facilitate coupling of the cable management device to a storage container (e.g., a bag or other piece of luggage). The sheath can have an elongate opening closed by a first zipper extending along one side of the sheath and another elongate opening closed by a second zipper extending along the opposite side of the sheath from the first zipper.

A cable retractor includes a housing. A motorized drive section within the housing urges at least a segment of cable past the drive section. A chamber within the housing holds at least another segment of the cable that is stored freely without a specific arrangement of the cable. The motorized drive section urges the cable in a first direction to draw the at least another segment from the chamber, then past the motorized drive section, and then through an external opening in the housing to outside. The motorized drive urges the cable in a second, opposing direction to draw the another segment through the external opening in the housing from outside, then past the motorized drive section, and then into the chamber, the another segment being urged freely into the chamber without a specific arrangement of the cable in the chamber.