Non-Slip Tool For Manipulating A Cord

Abstract

A Tool comprises a rod attached to a Head adapted to manipulate a Cord. The Head has at least one surface adapted to impeding the Cord from sliding across the Head, and may have another surface adapted to allowing the Cord to slide across the Head. The Tool user can manipulate the Tool by holding the Cord up on it against different parts of the Head surface.

Claims

1. A holder tool adapted to lifting a cord secured from falling out of it by gravity, where the surface of said holder tool adapted to touch said cord presents to said cord a contact surface with non-abrasive friction, thereby preventing said cord from slipping along the length of said cord against said holder tool.

2. The holder tool of claim 1 where the contact surface with non-abrasive friction comprises a depression adapted to secure said cord further by the force of gravity.

3. The holder tool of claim 1 with an additional contact surface with minimal friction between said cord and said holder tool.

4. The holder tool of claim 3 where the contact surface with minimal friction comprises a depression adapted to secure said cord further by the force of gravity.

5. The holder tool of claim 1 where the body of the tool is between 0.1 and 0.5 inches wide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment from a side view. The Holder (101) has an Insertion point (105) which is adapted to have the Handle (102) screwed in by threading (106) and thereby held securely. The Holder has a Gripper (103) whose surface is made of elastomer, and a Slider (104) whose surface is made of the same plastic as the rest of the Handler. An Actor lifts the Handler by means of the Handle and holds the Cord by force of gravity against either the Gripper or the Slider.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the same example embodiment at FIG. 1 but from rotate 3d view. The Holder (101) has an Insertion point (105) which is adapted to have the Handle (102) screwed in by threading (106) and thereby held securely. The Holder has a Gripper (103) whose surface is made of elastomer, and a Slider (104) whose surface is made of the same plastic as the rest of the Handler. An Actor lifts the Handler by means of the Handle and holds the Cord (111) by force of gravity against either the Gripper or the Slider.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment from a side view. The Holder (205) flanges out (204) to an Insertion Point (202) which is adapted to have the Handle (201) inserted into it and lock in place by a Screw (203). In this embodiment the Holder has a Gripper (206, 207, 208) but no Slider. It is adapted to raise a Cord (221) held against the Gripper surfaces by force of gravity.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment from a side view. The Holder (305) flanges out (304) to an Insertion Point (302) which is adapted to have the Handle (301) inserted into it and lock in place by a Screw (303). In this embodiment the Holder has a Gripper (306) while the rest of it (305) is a Slider. It is adapted to raise a Cord (321) held against the Gripper surface or the Slider surface by force of gravity.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows another example embodiment from a side view. The Holder (406) flanges out (404) to an Insertion Point (402) which is adapted to have the Handle (401) inserted into it and lock in place by a Screw (403). The Holder is narrow but supported vertically by a Gusset (405). The end of the Holder away from the Handle is covered by a Gripper (409) made of surgical tubing. The rest of the top of the Hold (406) is the Slider. The Gripper has an Elevated Distal Tip (410). The Slider is bracketed by two Nubs (407, 408). A Cord (421) lies across the Gripper (409).

EMBODIMENTS

All Embodiments

[0039] In an embodiment:

[0040] The Plane of the Holder is a plane parallel to the largest faces of the smallest rectangular cuboid which completely contains the Handler and which contains the Axis of the Handle.

[0041] The Handler comprises a Handle and a Holder.

[0042] The Contact Surface is the surface of the Holder that is uppermost when the Actor holds the Handler upright, meaning with the Handle held vertically and the Holder above it.

[0043] The Contact Surface contains at least one Gripper and at least one Slider.

[0044] A Gripper is a surface of the Holder that is adapted to prevent a Cord from sliding against it by means of friction between the Gripper and the Cord.

[0045] A Slider is a surface of the Holder that is adapted to allow a Cord to slide against it perpendicular to the Plane of the Holder.

[0046] In some embodiments Slider presents a downward concavity. This restricts a Cord engaged with a Slider from slipping against the Slider in a direction other than one perpendicular to the Plane of the Holder.

[0047] In some embodiments Slider is bracketed on one side, the other, or both by elevations. This restricts a Cord engaged with a Slider from slipping against the Slider in a direction other than one perpendicular to the Plane of the Holder.

[0048] In some embodiments a Gripper presents a downward concavity. This augments the grip of the Gripper on a Cord touching it. In some other embodiments a Gripper does not present a downward concavity.

[0049] In some embodiments Gripper is bracketed on one side, the other, or both by elevations. This restricts a Cord engaged with a Gripper from slipping against the Gripper in a direction other than one perpendicular to the Plane of the Holder.

[0050] The Handler Tool is adapted to engage with a Cord, which presses down on it by the force of gravity. When the Handler Tool engages a Cord, the the Cord rests on one Slider or Gripper. When the Cord rests on a Gripper, it cannot slip against the Handler. When the Cord rests on a Slider the Cord may slip against the Handler.

[0051] In some embodiments the Cord is secured against the Handler Tool by the force of gravity.

Manufacturing Embodiments

[0052] In some embodiments the Holder comprises plastic. In some embodiments the Holder comprises ceramic. In some embodiments the Holder comprises metal.

[0053] In some embodiments some or all of the Holder is manufactured by injection molding.

[0054] In some embodiments some or all of the Holder is manufactured by extrusion.

[0055] In some embodiments some or all of the Holder is manufactured by casting.

[0056] In some embodiments the Holder is manufactured in one piece.

[0057] In some embodiments the Holder is manufactured in multiple pieces.

[0058] In some embodiments the Gripper is manufactured of some elastomer. In some such embodiments the Gripper is manufactured of some elastomer from this list: rubber, rubber cement, or latex. In some embodiments the Gripper is manufactured from some other elastomer. In some embodiments the Gripper is manufactured from some class of material other than elastomers.

Alternative Embodiments

[0059] In some embodiments the Holder contains metal. In some embodiments the Holder contains plastic. In some embodiments the Holder contains wood. In some embodiments the Holder contains other materials.

[0060] In some embodiments the rod attaches to the Handler by screwing into it. In some embodiments the rod attaches to the Handler by a pin mechanism such as a cotter pin. In some embodiments the rod snaps into place into the body of the Holder. In some embodiments the rod attaches to the Handler by friction. In some embodiments the rod attaches to the Handler by some other mechanism. In general such mechanisms are well known and well understood in the Art.

[0061] In some embodiments the rod telescopes. In some embodiments the rod does not telescope.

[0062] In some embodiments the rod comprises metal. In some embodiments the rod comprises wood. In some embodiments the rod comprises plastic. In some embodiments the rod comprises some other metal.

[0063] In some embodiments the Gripper comprises elastomer, including but not limited to rubber and gum. In some embodiments the Gripper comprises plastic. In some embodiments the Gripper comprises some other type of substance.

[0064] In some embodiments the geometry of a Gripper concavity is angular. In some embodiments this geometry is rounded.

[0065] In some embodiments the geometry of a Slider concavity is angular. In some embodiments this geometry is rounded.

[0066] In some embodiments the geometries of the Holder are rounded to prevent a Cord from catching on a feature of the Holder.

[0067] In some embodiments the cross section of the Holder is rectangular. In some embodiments it is round. In some embodiments it is some other shape.

[0068] In some embodiments the Holder has a gusset as shown in FIG. 5 to strengthen it structurally.

[0069] In some embodiments the Gripper is on the distal end of the Holder from the Handle. In some other embodiments it is not.

[0070] In some embodiments the Slider is on the distal end of the Holder from the Handle. In some other embodiments it is not.

Example Embodiment 1

[0071] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 a Handler is specially adapted to put up and bring down a string of Christmas lights. Such a string of lights comprises sections of Cord and lights between them. The sections of Cord contain electrically conducting wire completely enclosed in a non-conducting rubber or elastomer casing.

[0072] The Handler Tool comprises a telescoping handle (102), and a Holder (101) made of plastic. In this embodiment the Handle screws into an Insertion Point (105) of the Holder.

[0073] The body of the Holder is shaped to be longest in a direction perpendicular to the rod, and flat at its top which is defined to be the side away from the length of rod.

[0074] The natural means of holding the Holder is for the Actor to hold the Handler vertically or almost vertically. In this case the Actor can raise the Holder against a Cord so that the Cord rests on the Gripper (103) or the Slider (104), by the choice of the Actor. If the Actor raises the Cord against the Gripper then the Gripper maintains some friction on the Cord to prevent it from slipping perpendicularly against the Handler. If the Actor raises the Cord against the Slider then the Slider has little or no friction against the Cord to prevent it from slipping perpendicularly against the Handler.

Example Embodiment 2

[0075] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 a Handler is specially adapted to put up and bring down a string of Christmas lights. Such a string of lights comprises sections of Cord and lights between them. The sections of Cord contain electrically conducting wire completely enclosed in a non-conducting rubber or elastomer casing.

[0076] The Handler Tool comprises a Handle (201), and a Holder (205) made of plastic. In this embodiment the Handle (201) inserts into the Insertion Point (202) straight and is kept in place by a Screw (203).

[0077] The body of the Holder is shaped to be longest in a direction perpendicular to the rod, and flat at its top which is defined to be the side away from the length of rod.

[0078] In this embodiment the Holder has a Gripper (206, 207, 208) which is a surface covered by an elastomer adapted to grip at a Cord (221) pressing against it. In this embodiment there is no Slider.

[0079] The natural means of holding the Holder is for the Actor to hold the Handler vertically or almost vertically. In this case the Actor can raise the Holder against a Cord so that the Cord rests on the Gripper (103). If the Actor raises the Cord against the Gripper then the Gripper maintains some friction on the Cord to prevent it from slipping perpendicularly against the Handler.

Example Embodiment 3

[0080] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 the Handler Tool comprises a Handle (301) and a Holder (305) which attach to the Handle through a Flange (304) by an Insertion Point (303) which is secured with a Screw (303). The Holder has on its end a Gripper (306). The Gripper grips a Cord (321) when that Cord lies across it.

[0081] In this embodiment when a Cord (321) lies across the Gripper (306), the Gripper impedes the Cord's ability to slide. But when it lies across other parts of the Holder (305) which are effectively a Slider, the Cord may slide freely.

[0082] The mechanics of how the this embodiment and the previous one function are mostly identical. The difference is in the geometry of the Holder. Here the Holder is flat, which no elevations or dips. This allows the Actor to elevate the Cord to a desired feature without that or some other feature impeding the Holder, since the Cord is the highest point of the combination of the Handler Tool and the Cord. The drawback is that since the Gripper has no dip there is nothing but the grip of the Gripper to impede the Cord from sliding off of it.

Example Embodiment 4

[0083] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 the Handler Tool comprises a Handle (401) and a Holder (406) which attach to the Handle through a Flange (404) by an Insertion Point (302) which is secured with a Screw (403). This embodiment has a Gusset (405) which adds vertical rigidity. The Holder has on its end a Gripper (409) with an elevated distal Tip (410). A Cord (421) lies across the Holder.

[0084] In this embodiment when a Cord (421) lies across the Gripper (409), the Gripper impedes the Cord's ability to slide. But when it lies across other parts of the Holder (305) which are effectively a Slider, the Cord may slide freely.

[0085] The mechanics of how the this embodiment and the previous one function are mostly identical. The difference is in the geometry of the Holder. Here the Holder has elevations around the Gripper (408, 410) to secure further a Cord (421) across it from sliding off. And there are elevations around the Slider (407, 408) to prevent a Cord lying across the Slider from sliding off of either end of the Slider. Relative to the previous embodiment the elevations may slightly impede the Actor in elevating the Cord to a desired feature without that or some other feature impeding the Holder, since the elevations (407, 408, 410) may be the highest point of the combination of the Handler Tool and the Cord. However, this may not be a drawback since the Handler is meant to elevate a Cord onto a feature such as a hook. The elevations are limited to between 0.1 and 1.5 inches in height.

[0086] Also the Holder (406) is between 0.1 and 0.5 inches in width. This allows for greater access and maneuver in positioning the Holder in tight or otherwise geometrically constrained places. Also it allows a human Actor greater ability to look around the Holder at the Cord and the features on which to hang it.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0087] We show these varied and numerous embodiments of the invention to be exemplary and in no way limiting. Many other embodiments are possible, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Advantages

[0088] The advantage of the invention over the prior art is that it prevents a Cord manipulated by a Holder from slipping against the Holder if the Cord is touching the Gripper, and allows this slipping when the Cord does not touch the Gripper but only Slider, and allows the Actor to shift the Cord back and forth between the Slider and the Gripper by manipulating the Handler. This allows the Actor to exercise more precise control over the Cord.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0089] In conclusion this invention of adding a Gripper to a Handler tool will enable Actors—human or mechanical—greater ability and ease in suspending a Cord for the purpose of manipulating it onto and off of structures adapted to suspend such Cord. Such an advantage may save time and effort on the part of all who must manipulate such Cords.