GB2469302A

GB2469302A - Cable winding device

Info

Publication number: GB2469302A
Application number: GB0906073A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Leslie Tomlinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-08
Filing date: 2009-04-08
Publication date: 2010-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-08
Also published as: GB0906073D0; GB2469302B

Abstract

Cable winding device 10 comprises housing (11, Fig 15) having at least two spaced apart openings 31, 32, through which cable (55, Fig 15) may pass. Cable winder (14, Fig 6), comprising first winding member 15 and second winding member 16, grips cable (55, Fig 15) as winder (14, Fig 6) is rotated, so that cable (55, Fig 15) is drawn into housing (11, Fig 15). One opening may be provided in line with the axis of winder (14, Fig 6). First and second members 15, 16, which may each have apertures 17 for the cable (55, Fig 15), may be telescopically engageable, and locked together by rib 18 on one winding member and groove 22 on the other. First member 15 may have a flange 27 for engaging with housing (11, Fig 15), which may comprise hollow base 12 and removable lid 13, which may be rotatably mounted in base 12. Lid 13 may have recesses 40, 56, 57 for housing the securing element 33 or elements (58, 59, Fig 15) connected to the cable (55, Fig 15). Securing element 33 may have a slot for storing pivotable winding handle 48 when not in use. The device 10 may be used with electrical cables on devices such as headphones and electrical appliances.

Description

CABLE WINDING DEVICE

This invention relates to a cable winding device incorporating a cable winder for the storage and release of a cable.

This invention has been developed principally for the storage and release of headphone cables, and therefore will be described herein with particular emphasis on this application. It is envisaged, however that the device may be used for the storage and release of other items having electrical cables, such as kettles and televisions.

Many devices have electrical cables to provide connection to an external power source or another device. Often, these cables are rather long, leading to parts of the cable being draped along the floor or worktop or simply hanging downwardly from the location of use. This is not only unsightly but is inconvenient for the user and may be dangerous. There is thus a need for an effective, fast and easy to use cable winding device.

Solutions to the above identified problem have been provided by devices is incorporating cable winding mechanisms. Existing cable winding devices generally comprise multiple components which are difficult to assemble, often requiring the use of tools, and having loose parts.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a cable winding device which is simple to assemble and use and which addresses the problems of the known devices discussed above.

According to this invention, there is provided a cable winding device comprising a housing having two spaced apart openings through which a cable may pass to extend through the housing, and a cable winder rotatably mounted within the housing and comprising first and second relatively movable winding members arranged to grip a cable passing through the housing on relative movement of the two members, whereby rotation of the cable winder relative to the housing causes a cable extending through the housing to be gripped by the winding members so as to be drawn into the housing through at least one of the openings and to be wound around the cable winding members.

In order to use the device, the user must locate a cable in the openings in the housing, so as to extend through the housing for gripping by the winder.

Once assembled, manual rotation of the cable winder causes the cable to be gripped and wound around the winding members, thus drawing the cable into the device. It will be appreciated that, rotation of the cable winder in one direction will cause the cable to be drawn into the housing and be wound around the cable winding members. When required for use, the cable may be pulled out of the housing, so causing the cable winder to be rotated in the is opposite sense as the cable unwinds.

Preferably, the first and second winding members are relatively moveable about the axis of the cable winder, so as to grip the cable. The rotation of one of the winding members gives rise to the relative movement, which thus grips the cable.

The openings in the housing may be angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the cable winder, and are preferably diametrically opposed. In this arrangement, rotation of the cable winder causes the cable to be drawn into the housing through both of its openings. Alternatively, one opening may be provided in the periphery of the housing and the other opening is provided substantially in-line with the axis of rotation of the cable winder. In this way, the cable will be drawn into the housing through only said one opening. When the cable winder is rotated, the cable is wound around the winding members and is drawn into the housing through the opening in the periphery of the housing. The other end of the cable may pass through the other opening and rotates with the cable winder. In an alternative arrangement, the housing may comprise three openings, two being provided in the periphery of the housing and a third opening provided in the housing, substantially in-line with the axis of rotation of the cable winder. In this arrangement, the user can choose the openings through which to position the cable, depending on whether the cable is to be drawn into the housing from both openings or from only one opening.

The openings in the housing are preferably sufficiently large to enable any connectors on the ends of the cable to pass therethrough.

Preferably, each of the first and second winding members has an is aperture for the cable, which apertures may be brought into registration by relative movement between the winding members. Ideally, two apertures are provided in each winding member, the apertures being similarly angularly spaced about the axis of the cable winder and preferably substantially diametrically opposed. During assembly, the cable may be located so as to extend through the apertures in the cable winder so as to be gripped thereby, on the winding members moving relatively about the axis of rotation.

The apertures may comprise slots open at one end and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cable winder. In this way, the cable may simply be located in the slots from the open ends thereof, without having to pass the cable end therethrough.

In a preferred arrangement, one of the winding members has an aperture on the axis of rotation of the cable winder, and through which the cable may pass. The user may locate one end of the cable through this aperture so that said one end of the cable will not be drawn into the device.

This arrangement allows the cable to be drawn into the device through only one of the housing openings.

Preferably, the first and second winding members are telescopically engageable and the apertures are formed in the interengageable parts of the winding members. In this way, one of the winding members is slidably received over the other winding member and the cable may be held between the apertures of both winding members. This arrangement, along with the relative rotational movement of each of the winding members, serves to grip the cable is when the cable winder is rotated.

In order to hold the two winding members together when assembled, the second winding member may be adapted to attach to the first winding member, in such a way that it is thereafter difficult to release the second winding member from the first winding member. In this case, interlocking means may be provided on the first and second winding members to permit sliding movement of one of the winding members on the other winding member but to resist total separation of the two members. In this arrangement, once assembled the user cannot remove the cable from the device without applying significant separating force to the members.

The interlocking means may comprise a rib extending around the outer periphery of one of the winding members, and a groove formed within the other winding member and with which the rib is engageable. In a preferred embodiment, there are two axially spaced ribs extending around one of the winding members and there are two corresponding grooves formed within the other winding member.

The first winding member preferably has a flange around an end thereof externally of the housing, which flange serves to retain the first winding member within the housing. In a preferred arrangement, the housing comprises a hollow base and a removable lid for the base. Ideally, there is a recess in the base within which the flange of the first winding member is received, such that the external surface of the flange is substantially co-planar with the outer surface of the base. The flange is located in the recess but is not secured thereto, thus enabling rotation of the first winding member relative to the housing.

Preferably, the lid is rotatably mounted to the base and the second winding member is mounted to the lid and connected thereto for rotation therewith. Thus, the user may rotate the lid so as to effect rotation of the cable winder. The lid may be received in the hollow base and simply rest on a rim provided in the side wall of the base.

Preferably, a securing element is pivotally connected to the second winding member externally of the lid and is adapted to engage the lid to restrain relative rotational movement between the second winding member and the lid. In this way, the securing element extends from the housing and secures externally to the lid. The pivotal arrangement enables the securing element to be connected to the second winding member and extend through the lid during assembly.

Ideally, the lid has a recess in which the securing element locates, and there is a catch to retain the securing element therein. The catch may simply comprise tabs extending from the surface of the lid and partially over the recess. The lid may comprise further recesses and catches for storing parts of the cable thereon, such as headphones.

A handle or winding knob may be pivotally connected to the end of the securing element remote from the second winding member for effecting rotational movement of the cable winder.

The device is held together by the engagement of the flange with the base, the engagement of the securing element with the lid and the interengagement of the winding members. This arrangement ensures that the is cable winder is secured within the housing.

The cable winding device of this invention is simple to use, and can be assembled without the need for tools. The device enables winding of a cable through both openings, or through only one opening until the further end of the cable is adjacent the housing, thus providing a fast and adaptable cable storage solution.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of cable winding device of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is an exploded view of the cable winding device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first winding member; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first winding member of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the interlocking means of the first winding member; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first cable winding member and the base of the housing of the cable winding device; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second winding member and the first winding member of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first and second winding members interengaged; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the interlocking means of the first and second winding members; Figure 9 is an exploded view of the securing element and the second is winding member of the cable winding device; Figure 10 is a view on an enlarged scale of the securing element pivoted to the second winding member, in a first position; Figure 11 is a detail view of a latching mechanism provided between the second winding member and the securing element; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the handle of the cable winding device; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the handle of Figure 12, with a rotational cap attached thereto; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the first and second winding members, the securing element and the handle pivoted to the securing element.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the cable winding device; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the cable winding device along line A-A of Figure 15; and Figure 17 is a plan view of the base of the cable winding device of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 17, there is shown a cable winding device 10 ready to be assembled. The device includes a housing 11 which comprises a hollow base 12 and a lid 13, and a cable winder 14 which is rotatably located in the housing 11.

The cable winder 14 includes a first winding member 15 and a second winding member 16, which are substantially cylindrical. As best shown in Figure 7, the winding members 15 and 16 are telescopically engageable, with the second winding member 16 being slidably received over the first winding member 15. Slots 17 are provided in both winding members 15, 16 for the location of a cable. During assembly, the cable may be located so as to extend through the slots 17 in the winding members, to be gripped thereby, when the winding members 15, 16 move relatively about the axis of rotation.

In order to secure the first and second winding members together, the first winding member 15 has two ribs 18 extending around the outer surface thereof. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ribs 18 have a ramp surface 19 and an abutment surface 20. The second winding member 16 has two corresponding grooves 22 provided around the inner surface 37 thereof, each groove 22 defining a radial surface 21. Figures 6 to 8 show the connection between the first winding member 15 and the second winding member 16.

Pressure must be applied to the second winding member 16 to force it over the ribs 18 of the first winding member 15 until those ribs 18 are received in corresponding grooves 22. Once connected, the abutment surfaces 20 of the ribs 18 of the first winding member 15 engage with the radial surfaces 21 of the grooves 22 of the second winding member 16, and prevent separation of the winding members.

The base 12 of the housing 11 has a base wall 23 and an upstanding side wall 24 formed with two diametrically opposed openings 31, 32 through which a cable 55 extends and a central opening 26 through which the first winding member 15 passes. The first winding member 15 has a circular flange 27 at one end which is received in a recess 28 formed in the outer surface of the base, such that the external surface of the flange is substantially co-planar is with the outer surface of the base.

The lid 13 of the housing 11 is generally circular as best seen from Figure 1 and is received within the side wall of the base. When assembled, the lid 13 is substantially co-planar with the upper surface 29 of the housing 11, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. The lid also includes an opening 30 generally corresponding to the opening 26 provided in the base 12.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a securing element 33 is pivoted to the second winding member 16, externally of the housing. The lid 13 includes a recess 40 in which the securing element 33 locates and a catch 41 to retain the securing element. -10-

The second winding element 16 has shoulder regions 34 between which the securing element 33 is pivoted by way of protruding pegs 36 on flat regions 37 of the securing element 33 received in small openings 35 provided on the inner surface of the shoulder regions 34. The pivotal arrangement is required so that the securing element 33 may be inserted into the lid opening 30 during assembly, and thereafter hinged down to be secured into place on the lid 13.

The second winding member 16 and the securing element 33 also include locking tabs, in the form of ridges 48 and inserts 49 to retain the securing element 33 in its position as illustrated in Figure 11.

The other end of the securing element 33 is bifurcated and a handle 48 is pivotally received between the arms 45 at that end. The handle 48 is pivotally connected to the securing element 33 to enable it to be positioned in an upright position for use and a storage position, where it lies wholly within the securing element 33 between the arms 45, as shown in Figure 15. The handle 48 may be knurled as shown at 49 to provide additional grip for the user.

Alternatively, a rotatable cap 50 may be provided on the handle 48, as shown in Figure 13, to facilitate turning of the cable winder, and that cap may have a grip surface 51.

Figure 15 illustrates the device 10 in an assembled arrangement. A cable 55 extends through the openings 31, 32 in the side wall 24 of the housing 11. The second winding member 16 extends partially through the opening 30 in the lid 13 and the securing element 33 locates in the recess 40. The lid 13 includes additional recesses 56, 57 for the headphone jack 58 and the ear pieces 59. Tab elements 60 extend from the surface of the lid 13 to partially overlie each of the recesses 56, 57 and these tabs serve to secure the headphone jack and ear pieces therein. The housing is also provided with one or more grip members 62 around the periphery of the base 12 to provide additional grip for the user.

As shown in Figure 17, the external surface of the base 12 of the housing 11 may be provided with an attachment 63 for retaining the device 10 on other items, such as the item which is connected to the cable 55.

Claims

-12 -CLAIMS1. A cable winding device comprising a housing having two spaced apart openings through which a cable may pass to extend through the housing, and a cable winder rotatably mounted within the housing and comprising first and second relatively movable winding members arranged to grip a cable passing through the housing on relative movement of the two members, whereby rotation of the cable winder relative to the housing causes a cable extending through the housing to be gripped by the winding members so as to be drawn into the housing through at least one of the openings and to be wound around the cable winding members.
2. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second winding members are relatively moveable about the axis of the cable winder, so as to grip the cable.
3. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the openings in the housing are angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the cable winder.
4. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two openings are substantially diametrically opposed.
5. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the housing has a third opening provided substantially in-line with the axis of rotation of the cable winder.
6. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one opening is provided in the periphery of the housing and the other opening is provided substantially in-line with the axis of rotation of the cable winder. -13-
7. A cable winding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second winding members has an aperture for the cable and which apertures may be brought into registration by relative movement between the winding members.
8. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein two apertures are provided in each winding member, the apertures being similarly angularly spaced about the axis of the cable winder.
9. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two apertures in each winding member are substantially diametrically opposed.
10. A cable winding device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the apertures comprise slots open at one end and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cable winder.
11. A cable winding device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein one of the winding members has an aperture on the axis of rotation of the winder, is and through which the cable may pass.
12. A cable winding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second winding members are telescopically engageable and the apertures are formed in the interengageable parts of the winding members.
13. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 12, wherein interlocking means are provided on the first and second winding members to permit sliding movement of one of the first or second winding members onto the other winding member but to resist total separation of the two members.

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14 - 14. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the interlocking means comprises a rib extending around the outer periphery of one of the winding members, and a groove formed within the other winding member and with which the rib is engageable.
15. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 14, wherein there are two axially spaced ribs extending around one of the winding members and there are two corresponding grooves formed within the other winding member.
16. A cable winding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first winding member has a flange around an end thereof externally of the housing, which flange serves to retain the first winding member within the housing.
17. A cable winding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a hollow base and a removable lid for the base.
18. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 17, when dependant on claim 16, wherein there is a recess in the base and within which the flange of the first winding member is received, such that the external surface of the flange is substantially co-planar with the outer surface of the base.
19. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the lid is rotatably mounted to the base and the second winding member is mounted to the lid and connected thereto for rotation therewith.
20. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 19, wherein a securing element is pivotally connected to the second winding member externally of the lid and is adapted to engage the lid to restrain relative rotational movement between the second winding member and the lid. -15-
21. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lid has a recess in which the securing element locates, and there is a catch to retain the securing element therein.
22. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein a handle is pivotally connected to the end of the securing element remote from the second winding member for effecting rotational movement of the cable winder.
23. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the end of the securing element remote from the second winding member is provided with a slot into which the handle may be pivoted when not in use.
24. A cable winding device as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.