CORD SPOOLER DEVICE

Abstract

A cord spooler device is provided comprised of a cylindrical body that facilitates the organized winding of a power cord or hose. The body, which can rotate 360 degrees around a vertical axis on an axle attached to a base, may include a tapered design for enhanced cord management. The device allows for manual rotation through a hand crank or powered rotation via a motor or can be adapted for use with a drill or electric rotary tool. The body features a recessed area with a fastener to secure a first end of a cord or hose prior to/during winding. During winding, the power cord or hose is neatly wound around the body, wherein the cord or hose can then be removed from the body in a wound state.

Claims

1. A cord spooler device comprising: a body comprised of a fastener; an axle attached to the body and to a base, the axle capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation; and a hand crank attached to the axle.

2. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a recessed area.

3. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is positioned near, in, or on the recessed area.

4. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is comprised of a female power plug receptacle, a male hose connection, a female hose connection, a clip, a clamp, or a threaded fastener.

5. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the recessed area is positioned on a top surface of the body.

6. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the base is comprised of a non-slip material.

7. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of a wheeled base.

8. The cord spooler device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of a fastener opening.

9. A cord spooler device comprising: a tapered body comprised of a first fastener; an axle attached to the body and to a base, the axle capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation; a motor; and a hand crank attached to the axle.

10. The cord spooler device of claim 9, wherein the motor is comprised of an electric motor.

11. The cord spooler device of claim 10, wherein the cord spooler device is comprised of a power cord.

12. The cord spooler device of claim 9, wherein the motor is comprised of a gas motor.

13. The cord spooler device of claim 9, wherein the motor is comprised of a diesel motor.

14. The cord spooler device of claim 9 further comprised of a button.

15. The cord spooler device of claim 14, wherein the button activates the motor.

16. The cord spooler device of claim 15, wherein the motor spins the axle.

17. The cord spooler device of claim 9, wherein the tapered body attaches to the axle via a second fastener.

18. The cord spooler device of claim 17, wherein the second fastener is comprised of a bolt or a pin.

19. A method of using a cord spooler device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a cord spooler device comprised of a body attached to an axle, the axle attached to a base, wherein the body is comprised of a recessed area and a fastener; placing a first end of a hose or a cable into the recessed area and securing the hose or the cable into the recessed area via the fastener; rotating the axle to spin the body such that the cable or the hose is wound around the body; and removing the cable or the hose from around the body in a wound configuration.

20. The method of using a cord spooler device of claim 19, wherein the axle is rotated by a motor or by a hand crank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a cord spooler device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a cord spooler device of the present invention wherein a cord is wrapped around the body of the device in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a cord spooler device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a cord spooler device of the present invention by the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0020] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be used to wind extension cords and hoses. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a cord spooler device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cord spooler device that can be used to easily wind an extension cord or a hose via manual or electric power. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cord spooler device that can be used to easily wind an extension cord or a hose via manual or electric power, wherein the device also secures a cord or hose during the winding process to prevent the cord or hose from becoming tangled.

[0021] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a cord spooler device comprised of a body that facilitates the organized winding of a power cord around the body. The body rotates 360 degrees around the vertical axis of at least one axle that is attached to a base. In one embodiment, the axle can be manually rotated (to in turn rotate the body) via at least one manual hand crank. In another embodiment, the axle is rotated via at least one motor. In this embodiment, the rotation of the motor (i.e., on/off) can be controlled by at least one button positioned anywhere on the device. In a further embodiment, the axle and/or crank may be shaped to be received by a drill or other electric rotary tool that can be used to spin the axle.

[0022] To secure a first portion of a hose/cable to the body prior to winding, an area of the body may be comprised of a recessed area that receives the hose/cable. The recessed area may also be comprised of an additional fastener that further secures the hose/cable. The base may further be comprised of at least one opening that allows a fastener to be driven through the base to secure the base to a surface to reduce movement of the device during use. In a different embodiment, a bottom surface of the base may be comprised of a grip area with a raised or recessed texture made from a non-slip material such as but not limited to rubber.

[0023] The present invention is also comprised of a first method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body attached to an axle, the axle attached to a base, wherein the body is comprised of a recessed area and a fastener. Next, a first end of a hose or a cable can be placed into the recessed area and secured into said area via the fastener. Next, the axle can be rotated via a hand crank or electric rotary tool to spin the body such that the hose or cable is wound around the body. In an embodiment wherein the axle is powered by a motor, the axle can be rotated to spin the body such that the hose or cable is wound around the body by pressing a button to activate the motor. Finally, the hose or cable can be removed from the body (via undoing the fastener) in a wound configuration.

[0024] Accordingly, the cord spooler device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that can be used to wind extension cords and hoses. The device can be used to easily wind an extension cord or a hose via manual or electric power. While doing so, the device also secures a cord or hose during the winding process to prevent the cord or hose from becoming tangled. In this manner, the cord spooler device provides a solution to easily winding cords and hoses in an organized manner.

[0025] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a cord spooler device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of a body 110. The body 110 is preferably cylindrical in shape and may be made from any material. In one embodiment, the body 110 is tapered to facilitate the organized winding of a power cord around the body 110. The body 110 rotates 360 degrees around the vertical axis of at least one axle 118 that is attached to a base 140. The axle 118 may be any type of spinning rotation structure known in the art. The body 110 may be fixedly or removably attached to the axle 118 via at least one fastener 120 such as but not limited to a bolt, a pin, etc.

[0026] In one embodiment, the axle 118 can be manually rotated (to in turn rotate the body 110) via at least one manual hand crank 130 of any style and configuration. In one embodiment, the crank 130 is comprised of at least one grip 132. The grip 132 may be made from a non-slip material such as but not limited to a rubber and may also be comprised of a raised and/or recessed texture to improve grip. In another embodiment, the axle 118 is rotated clockwise and/or counterclockwise via at least one motor 148. The motor 148 may be any style of motor such as but not limited to a gas, diesel, or electric motor. In an electric embodiment, the motor 148 can receive power via at least one power cord 146 of any style and configuration. In this embodiment, the rotation of the motor 148 (i.e., on/off) can be controlled by at least one button 150 positioned anywhere on the device 100. In one embodiment, the button 150 is in the form of a foot-activated button and/or foot-activated switch. In a further embodiment, the axle 118 and/or crank 130 may be shaped to be received by a drill or other electric rotary tool that can be used to spin the axle 118. The axle 118 and/or crank 130 may be rotated in any direction. In one embodiment, the axle 118 can be comprised of a ratcheting axle that prevents the axle 118 from unspooling. Locking of the axle 118 in this embodiment can be controlled by the button 150.

[0027] To secure a first portion of a hose/cable 10 to the body 110 prior to winding, an area of the body 110 (preferably but not limited to a top wall 112 of the body 110) is comprised of a recessed area 114 that receives the hose/cable 10. The recessed area 114 may also be comprised of an additional fastener 116 on/in/near the recessed area 114 that further secures the hose/cable 10 such as but not limited to a female power plug receptacle (that a male end of a cord 10 could be plugged into), a male or female hose connection (that a hose 10 could be attached to), a clip, a clamp, a male or female threaded fastener, a notch, a cutout, a spring, a ratchet, a spring and ratchet fastener, etc. as seen in FIG. 2.

[0028] The base 140 may further be comprised of at least one opening 141 that allows a fastener to be driven through the base 140 to secure the base 140 to a surface to reduce movement of the device 100 during use. In a different embodiment, a bottom surface 142 of the base 140 may be comprised of a grip area 144 with a raised or recessed texture made from a non-slip material such as but not limited to rubber. The base 140 may be comprised of a wheeled base comprised of at least one wheel 160 of any type, or a non-wheeled stationary base.

[0029] The device 100 may also be comprised of at least one counting device 160. The device 160 may be any type of digital or analog counting device that measures the amount of cable 10 being wound around the body 110 and/or pull from the body 110.

[0030] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 3. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 attached to an axle 118, the axle 118 attached to a base 140, wherein the body 110 is comprised of a recessed area 114 and a fastener 116 [Step 202]. Next, a first end of a hose or a cable 10 can be placed into the recessed area 114 and secured into said area 114 via the fastener 116 [Step 204]. Next, the axle 118 can be rotated via a hand crank 130 or an electric rotary tool to spin the body 110 such that the hose or cable 10 is wound around the body 110 [Step 206]. Finally, the hose or cable 10 can be removed vertically from the body 110 (via undoing the fastener 116) in a wound configuration [Step 208].

[0031] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 300 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 4. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 attached to an axle 118, the axle 118 attached to a base 140 and spun by a motor 148, wherein the body 110 is comprised of a recessed area 114 and a fastener 116 [Step 302]. Next, a first end of a hose or a cable 10 can be placed into the recessed area 114 and secured into said area 114 via the fastener 116 [Step 304]. Next, the axle 118 can be rotated to spin the body 110 such that the hose or cable 10 is wound around the body 110 by pressing a button 150 to activate the motor 148 [Step 306]. Finally, the hose or cable 10 can be removed from the body 110 (via undoing the fastener 116) in a wound configuration [Step 308].

[0032] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein cord spooler device and device are interchangeable and refer to the cord spooler device 100 of the present invention.

[0033] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the cord spooler device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the cord spooler device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the cord spooler device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the cord spooler device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the cord spooler device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0034] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0035] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.