Cord reel

Abstract

A handheld reel device for collecting and releasing string lights and that accommodates use of handles of variable lengths for manually rotating the reel.

Claims

1. A cord reel for winding string lights and cords about, the reel comprising: a pair of longitudinal extending members that are laterally spaced and disposed in parallel, wherein each such extending member has a first end and an opposing second end; a pair of lateral extending attachments that are longitudinally spaced, wherein a first such attachment extends between the longitudinal extending members and attaches thereto substantially proximate their respective first ends, and the second such attachment extends between the longitudinal extending members and attaches thereto substantially proximate their respective second ends; wherein formed along one longitudinal extending member is a first port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially proximate the longitudinal position of the first lateral extending attachment; and wherein formed along the other longitudinal extending member is both: a second port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially proximate the longitudinal position of the second lateral extending attachment; and a third port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially at the longitudinal center of that longitudinal extending member.

2. The cord reel of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal extending members are tubular structures, and wherein each of said ports is formed by axially aligned holes formed through laterally inner and outer walls of those tubular structures.

3. A cord reel for winding string lights and cords about, the reel comprising: a pair of longitudinal extending members that are laterally spaced and disposed in parallel, wherein each such extending member has a first end and an opposing second end; a pair of lateral extending attachments that are longitudinally spaced, wherein a first such attachment extends between the longitudinal extending members and attaches thereto substantially proximate their respective first ends, and the second such attachment extends between the longitudinal extending members and attaches thereto substantially proximate their respective second ends; at least two handle elements adapted to be removably attached to and extend laterally outward of longitudinal extending members; wherein formed along one longitudinal extending member is a first port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially proximate the longitudinal position of the first lateral extending attachment; and wherein formed along the other longitudinal extending member is both: a second port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially proximate the longitudinal position of the second lateral extending attachment; and a third port for receiving a handle element, such that the handle element is rotatable relative thereto and removable therefrom, substantially at the longitudinal center of that longitudinal extending member.

4. The cord reel of claim 3, wherein said handle elements are length extendable.

5. The cord reel of claim 4, wherein said handle element length is telescopically extendable.

6. The cord reel of claim 4, wherein said handle elements are adapted to have length-extending attachments attached thereto.

7. The cord reel of claim 3, wherein said longitudinal extending members are tubular structures, and wherein each of said ports is formed by axially aligned holes formed through laterally inner and outer walls of those tubular structures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the cord reel apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the apparatus shown with two handle elements disengaged from port positions that they would be inserted into for string lights winding up rotation of the apparatus; and

[0009] FIG. 2 is elevational view of the same, the apparatus shown with one handle element disengaged from a port position that it would be inserted into for string lights unwinding rotation of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] This disclosure, as defined by the claims that follow, relates to a reel device that allows string lights and other cord-like objects (hereinafter, to all be broadly referred to as simply “string lights”) to be coiled around and collected onto it by way of manually rotating the device in one direction and uncoiled and removed from it by rotating the device in the opposite direction. In its simplest form, the present device is defined by a pair of longitudinally extending members that feature port holes for removably inserting handles into and that are laterally spaced apart by a pair of laterally extending attachments that are longitudinally spaced from each other and that are each connected to the longitudinally extending members. The port holes are positioned such that when two handles are properly inserted toward the respective longitudinal ends of the device, a user holds them to rotate to the device in a way that coils string lights onto the device, and when one handle is inserted at the longitudinal center of the device, the user holds that handle to allow the device to oppositely rotate and uncoil string lights from it (and onto a Christmas tree, for example).

[0011] The “longitudinal extending members” can take on a variety of alternative configurations such as being rod-like, rail-like, or plate-like. Nevertheless, one of the longitudinal members will, hereinafter, be referred to as the left longitudinal member 12, and it has formed through it a proximal hole 23 and a distal hole 25. A central hole 27 resides at its longitudinal center. Each such hole 23, 25, 27 is, in fact, two axially aligned holes formed in the laterally inner and outer walls of the longitudinal member 12 if it has a hollow structure. Nevertheless, because these holes may have closed ends, they will, hereinafter, be referred to as “ports”.

[0012] The other longitudinal member 14 has a similar arrangement of ports 23, 25, 27, and it is held in parallel with its counterpart member 12 by a pair of “lateral extending attachments” which are, preferably, pipe-like or at least have rounded outer surfaces. One such lateral attachment 16 is attached to the longitudinal members 12, 14 toward their respective proximal ends and adjacent their proximal ports 23, while the other lateral attachment 18 is attached toward the longitudinal members' distal ends and adjacent their distal ports 25.

[0013] Handles are insertable into all of the ports and are rotatable relative to the longitudinal members 12, 14. So, when, as can be gleaned from viewing FIG. 1, a first handle 22 is inserted into the distal port 25 of member 12 (and may extend into the counterpart port 25 of member 14) and a second handle 24 is inserted into the proximal port 23 of member 14 (and may extend into the counterpart port 23 of member 12), a user can hold each handle and perform an arm pedaling motion to rotate the longitudinal members 12, 14 about their central axes and cause string lights to gather in a coil around the lateral attachments 16, 18.

[0014] Then, as can be gleaned from viewing FIG. 2, a single handle 26 is inserted into central hole 27 of either longitudinal member so that that the reel can freely spin in an opposite direction of rotation about its central axis while string lights uncoil off of it.

[0015] Finally, it is contemplated that a variety of objects can be employed as handles. For example, screwdrivers could be used. Considerably longer objects could be used as well. Furthermore, each handle may, itself, be variable in length. For example, a handle can be formed by telescopically engaged parts that can be repositioned into different aggregate lengths. Alternatively, the handles could be made of components that are end-to-end attachable to adjust their composite length.