Extension Cord Safety System

Abstract

An extension cord safety system designed to encourage or force the user to unplug or turn off a cord prior to rolling or unrolling the cord. Additionally, a safety system designed to automatically de-energise a cord whilst not in use. The safety system is specifically designed and intended to reduce the risk of electric shock. The extension cord safety system includes the permanent installation of a cable rolling device at the male end of the cord so the user must unplug the cord to commence rolling or unroll the cord prior to plugging into a power source.

Claims

1. A portable extension cord safety system including: an electrical extension cord including a plug end; and a holder for receiving and holding the electrical extension cord such that the plug end can extend from the holder to provide an extension to a power supply; wherein the extension cord safety system is configured to encourage a user to unplug the extension cord from the power supply prior to storing the electrical extension cord on the holder.

2. An electrical cord storage device including: a holder for receiving and storing the electrical extension cord having a plug end, such that the plug end can extend from the holder to provide an extension to a power supply; wherein the storage is configured to encourage a user to unplug the extension cord from the power supply prior to storing the electrical extension cord on the holder.

3. An electrical extension cord including a plug end and a socket end and an elongate cord portion extending between the plug end and the socket end; and a switch at the plug end, configured to selectively decouple couple the plug end from the cord portion of the cord when not in use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an example extension cord roller, in a rolled-up stated, according to the prior art;

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates the roller of FIG. 1 in an unrolled state;

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an electrical cord storage device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the electrical cord storage device of FIG. 3;

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates an extension cord on the electrical cord storage device of FIG. 3;

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates the extension cord unwound from the electrical cord storage device of FIG. 3, plugged into an electrical socket and leading to a work area;

[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an electrical cord storage device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates an end of an extension cord, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an electrical cord storage device 300, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0046] The electrical cord storage device 300 includes an elongate body 305 having curved ends 310, for receiving an extension cord (not shown). In particular, the extension cord is manually wrapped around the elongate body, as discussed in further detail below.

[0047] The electrical cord storage device 300 includes retaining portions 315 adjacent to the curved ends 310 to prevent the extension cord from sliding off the elongate body 305 when rolled up. The retaining portions 315 form a barrier such that the extension cord must be unrolled from the electrical cord storage device 300 rather than sliding off laterally.

[0048] One of the retaining portions 315 defines an aperture 320, which enables a plug end of the extension cord to extend through the retaining portion 315. The electrical cord storage device 300 includes a retaining clip 325 adjacent to the aperture 320 for retaining the plug end of the extension cord to the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0049] Initially, the plug end of the extension cord is pushed through the aperture 320 and fastened to the retaining clip 325. The remaining part of the extension cord is wound around the elongate body 305. The extension cord is then ready to be used and transported. FIG. 5 illustrates an extension cord 505 on the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0050] In use, the extension cord 505 is transported to a work area on the electrical cord storage device 300, as illustrated above. The user then generally unrolls the extension cord 505 from the electrical cord storage device 300 as the user walks towards a power point, such that a socket end 510 of the cord 505 remains at the worksite. At the power point, the user may unroll any remaining extension cord 505 from the electrical cord storage device 300 and plug a plug end 515 of the cord 505 into a socket. FIG. 6 illustrates the extension cord 505 unwound from the electrical cord storage device 300, plugged into an electrical socket 605 and leading to a work area 610. The user may then walk back to the work area 140 and plug an electrical appliance into the socket 510.

[0051] After work has completed, the user walks back to the power point 605, unplugs the plug 515, and rolls the extension cord 505 back up onto the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0052] By attaching the plug end 515 of the extension cord 505 to the electrical cord storage device 300, the user is encouraged to unplug the extension cord 505 from the power point 605 prior to rolling up the cord 505. As such, the extension cord 505 is wound up while being unplugged, which reduces the risk of electrocution, particularly if the extension cord 505 is damaged.

[0053] When the plug end 515 is plugged into the power point 605, manoeuvrability of the electrical cord storage device 300 is hampered, making it difficult to wind the cord back onto the electrical cord storage device 300. As such, while it may be possible to do so, the user has no motivation to attempt to roll up the extension cord 505 while plugged in, and doing so will be time consuming and difficult.

[0054] According to certain embodiments, the retaining clip 325 is used to attach the cord such that the plug end 515 is able to extend approximately 0.5 m to 1 m from the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an electrical cord storage device 700, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical cord storage device 700 is similar to the electrical cord storage device 300 of FIG. 3, however includes a hook 705, for hanging the electrical cord storage device 700 from, for example, a power supply cabinet.

[0056] In use, the electrical cord storage device 700 is used in the same way as the electrical cord storage device 700, but is hung on a cabinet or the like while being plugged in.

[0057] The skilled addressee will readily appreciate that the electrical cord storage device 700 may in other embodiments include a ring, enabling the electrical cord storage device 700 to be hung on a hook of the cabinet.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates an end of an extension cord 800, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The extension cord 800 is similar to the cord 505 of FIG. 5, and can be used together with the electrical cord storage device 300.

[0059] The extension cord 800 include a handle 805 adjacent to a socket end of the cord 800, which enables the user to pick up the end of the cord 800 without touching the cord. The handle is made of non-conductive material, such as rubber, to prevent electrocution when in contact with the cord 800, particularly if the cord 800 is damaged.

[0060] The extension cord 800 further includes a warning label 810, adjacent to the socket end of the cord 800, which instructs a user to unplug the cord 800 prior to rolling it up. The label 810 may be beneficial if a user is new to the electrical cord storage device 300, to remind the user to wind the cord up from the other end.

[0061] The skilled addressee will readily appreciate that various alternative embodiments of the electrical cord storage device 300 are possible, without departing from the present invention. As illustrative examples, electrical cord storage devices may comprise rollers, bags, or any other suitable storage device including means to encourage the user to unplug the cord prior to rolling the cord up for storage.

[0062] In the case of a roller, the plug end of the cord 505 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the roller such that it is difficult (or impossible) to roll the roller while the plug end is plugged in. In particular, rotation of the roller may cause the plug end of the cord 505 to also rotate, which will cause tangling of the cord 505 if still plugged in. Alternatively, the roller may include an electrically actuated lock, a brake or the like, to prevent the roller from being rolled while plugged in.

[0063] According to another aspect, the invention resides in an extension cord, including a switch to selectively couple a plug end of the cord to a cord portion of the cord. In particular, the switch is configured to detect if an appliance is coupled to a socket end of the cord, and selectively switch power from the plug end based thereon.

[0064] The switch may be configured to detect a load or resistance at the socket end of the extension cord, and selectively switch power from the plug end to the extension cord only when load or resistance is detected. As such, even if the user would handle the cord while plugged in, now power would be supplied to the cord if no load or resistance is present, making the cord safe to handle in case of damage.

[0065] Alternatively, the switch may be configured to detect that a plug has been plugged into the socket end of the cord, and selectively switch power from the plug end to the extension cord only when a plug has been detected at the socket end of the cord. As such, the user simply needs to unplug his or her electrical equipment from the extension cord to de-energise the entire cord.

[0066] According to certain embodiments, the socket end of the extension cord may comprise several sockets, to enable several electrical devices to be connected in parallel.

[0067] According to some embodiments, the electrical cord is moulded to the storage device. Alternatively, the storage device may be provided to be used together with an existing extension cord.

[0068] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0069] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0070] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.