AU2007233551B2

AU2007233551B2 - Cable storage device

Info

Publication number: AU2007233551B2
Application number: AU2007233551A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Troy Matthew Sanderson
Original assignee: TKS ELECTRICS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TKS ELECTRICS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-03
Filing date: 2007-03-26
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-26
Also published as: WO2007112477A1; AU2007233551A1

Abstract

A cable storage device (10) comprises an outer arrangement (14) defining an outer periphery (16) and an inner arrangement (18) defining an inner periphery (20). The inner arrangement (18) provides an inner structure (22) about which at least one electrical cable (12) can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries (16, 20).

Description

1 CABLE STORAGE DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION [00011 The present invention relates to cable storage devices. In one form, the present invention relates to a cable storage device for household video, audio, computer and general multimedia cables. In another form the present invention relates to a cable storage device in combination with an ancillary retainer that may be used to support ancillary devices. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Electrical cables including television cables, video cables, hi-fi cables, computer cables and telephone cables often present an unsightly appearance. This is especially the case when the cables extend from distant sockets to the equipment, to which they are connected, and kink and bend in an unorganised and unsightly manner. [0003] When existing TV and home theatre type electrical arrangements are updated or when multi access television systems are installed there is a usually a concomitant increase in number of cables required to support such systems. Often a vast number of different cables are required in a concentrated area. The visual display of excess cables contradicts the smart contemporary look of the latest most up to date release of visual display and entertainment devices, In some cases the positioning of the cables and their connections is particularly unsafe, especially when exposed to potential spills and other hazards. [0004] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

2 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cable storage device for electrical cables comprising: an outer arrangement defining an outer periphery; and an inner arrangement defining an inner periphery, the inner arrangement providing an inner structure about which at least one electrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries. [0006] The cable storage device of the present invention may also be combined with an ancillary retainer for supporting ancillary devices. [0007] In arrangements of the invention a person is able to better organise a plurality of cables in a sightlier manner. The improvement extends to the advantageous segregation of data/voice cables and power boards/cables, excessive visible lengths of cable and vulnerable exposed unused outlets on power boards. Particular arrangements provide improved safety by housing both power boards and cables. Advantageously, with preferred arrangements of the invention, there is no need for excessive cable lengths to kink and bend and be visible to the eye. [0008] Preferably the inner structure is shaped to allow a power board having a plurality of sockets to be accommodated within the inner periphery, whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure. This is particularly advantageous because the presence of unsightly power boards can be hidden from view. The power board may have a cable that extends from the storage device into an external power socket. [0009] The inner structure may be shaped to allow a power board having at least four female sockets arranged in series to be accommodated within the inner periphery whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure. Advantageously a power board having five sockets may be accommodated.

3 [0010] Preferably the outer arrangement includes a base for supporting the device in a horizontal condition and the inner structure is elongate and arranged such that when device is supported in the horizontal condition the power board is horizontally disposed when accommodated within the inner periphery. [0011] In one preferred form of the invention the outer arrangement includes a top that is moveable to selectively allow a person to wind the at least one cable around the inner structure. [0012] The inner arrangement may include access means for allowing cable wound around the inner arrangement to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery. The access means may comprise slots open at an upper end of the inner arrangement. [0013] The outer arrangement may include access means for allowing cable wound around the inner periphery to extend therefrom, through the outer arrangement, to an external device. The access means of the outer arrangement may be sized for allowing a power socket accessory attached to the at least one electrical cable to pass therethrough. [0014] According to a related aspect of the invention there is provided a cable storage device comprising a housing defining an outer periphery, and a compartment internal to the housing and defining an inner periphery, the compartment providing an outer surface about which at least one electrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries. [0015] The compartment may provide a storage area defining the inner periphery, the compartment being able to accommodate a power board, having a plurality of sockets, within the storage area whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the outer surface of the compartment. [0016] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a housing for electrical equipment comprising: 4 a body for enclosing electrical equipment; a first funnel shaped element disposed within the body and positioned for the electrical equipment being accommodated thereabove; and a plurality of drainage channels positioned for carrying away fluid flowing downwardly away from the first funnel shaped element. [0017] The housing may include a second funnel shaped element disposed below the first funnel shaped element, the second funnel shaped element including the plurality of drainage channels. [0018] Preferably the first funnel shape element narrows in a downward direction to a discharge opening and the channels are arranged to direct the water from below the discharge opening to ports in the body for discharge from the housing. [0019] The body may comprises an upper and a lower portion having snap lock means for providing a weather proof seal [0020] Preferred forms of the invention allow power cables and power boards to be safely connected in a specially designed protective box that provides: enough inside space for more than one five way power board; weather protected cable entry points with IP ratings; and condensation limiting processes in the form of resilient surfaces and channels for easy pathway to egress holes. [0021] Often it will be convenient to leave a cable within the cable storage device and connect it to one or more ancillary devices external to the cable storage device. These ancillary devices may be unsuitable for keeping within the cable storage device for any one of a number of reasons - they may be too large to fit, they may cause overheating, they may need periodic tuning/adjusting or repeated manual attachment/ detachment/changing of cables.

5 [0022] The cable storage device of the present invention may additionally be provided with a retainer for external support of ancillary devices, the retainer including; - a support body for location adjacent the outer arrangement of the cable storage device, and - at least one support means for removal attachment to the ancillary device. [0023] The ancillary device may be any device connected to electrical or electronic cables. For example, the ancillary device may be a plug or multi-point power board that is hard-wired to an electricity cable, or plugged into an electricity cable. In another example, the ancillary device may be a modem or router or the like, that is hard-wired to a data cable, or plugged into a data cable. [0024] The support body may be of any convenient conformation but typically it is attached to the access means of the outer arrangement and inner arrangement. For example when the access means is a slot in the outer arrangement, attachment may be achieved by the use of a hook, or plate. A T-shaped or H-shaped plate may be slidably received in the slot or in the space between the outer and inner arrangement and project through the slot. [0025] The support means may for example, comprise a strap which can be wrapped around the ancillary device and secured by any convenient fastener such as Velcro@ or a buckle, The strap may be threaded through one or more guides in the support body. Alternatively the support means may comprise an appropriately shaped plastic form in which the ancillary device is held by snap-fit or interference fit. [0026] In a particularly preferred arrangement the retainer may include two or more support means. Thus the retainer may be configured to support one, two or more ancillary devices.

6 [0027] In another particularly preferred arrangement, two or more retainers may be linked together either to enhance the support of one or more ancillary device or simply to increase the number of ancillary devices that are supported on a single cable storage device. The retainers may be directly linked together mechanically, for example by interference or click fit. Alternatively they can be indirectly linked, for example by use of Velcro@ straps. [0028] Other aspects and preferred aspects are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention. For example, in another aspect of the invention there is provided a container having means for stably aligning a plurality of containers stacked one on top of the other. [0029] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and in which: [0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cable storage device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; [0032] Figure 2 is a conceptual perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 1, with the cable device accommodating a cable and a power board; 7 [0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cable storage device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; [0034] Figure 4 is a conceptual perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2, with the cable device accommodating a cable and a power board; and [0035] Figure 5 is a conceptual perspective view of a housing according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing being shown accommodating electrical equipment; [0036] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the housing shown in Figure 5. [0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2b including a retainer; [0038] Figure 8 is a conceptual view of the retainer of Figure 7 viewed from below (Fig 8a) and from above (Fig 8b); and [0039] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2 including a first retainer linked to a second retainer, the retainers supporting an ancillary device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 2 there is shown a cable storage device 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The cable storage device 10 is able to accommodate a plurality of cables including a cable 12 in a tidy manner. This serves to address the unsightly potentially hazardous grouping of cables around power points and provides for increased protection against dust collection and liquid spills. [0041] The cable storage device 10 comprises an outer arrangement 14, defining an outer periphery 16, and an inner arrangement 18, defining an inner periphery 20.

8 The inner arrangement 18 provides an inner structure 22 about which a person can physically wind the electrical cable 12 such that the cable is disposed between the inner and outer peripheries 16, 20. [0042] As shown in Figure 2 the inner structure 22 is shaped to allow a powerboard 24 having a plurality of sockets 26 to be accommodated within the inner periphery 20, whilst the cable 12 is wound therearound between the inner and outer peripheries 16, 20. In this embodiment the power board 24 comprises four female sockets 26 arranged in series. The accommodation of the power board 24 is particularly advantageous as previously such power boards have been in clear view, so as to provide an untidy appearance. Other embodiments allow for up to five female sockets to be accommodated. [0043] In the cable storage device 10 the inner structure 22 includes access means 28 which allows the cable 12, when wound around the inner structure 22 to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery. Furthermore the outer arrangement 14 includes access means 30 for allowing the cable 12, when wound around the inner structure 22, to extend therefrom, through the outer arrangement 14, to an external device (not shown). [00441 With the arrangement the access means 28 comprises four slots 32 spaced at 90 degree intervals along an upper portion 34 of the inner structure 22. The access means 30 of the outer arrangement 14 similarly comprises slots 36 arranged at corresponding 90 degree intervals along an upper portion 38 of the outer arrangement 14. [0045] The outer arrangement 14, in this embodiment, comprises a solid cylindrical wall 39 having a bottom 41 and a top 43. The top 43 comprises a removable planar circular sheet of material that is movable to selectively allow a person to wind the cable 12 around the inner structure 22 and remove the cable therefrom. Although not shown, the top 43 in the present embodiment is secured to the top of the cylindrical wall 39 with a snap lock configuration. Other methods of attachment of the top 43 to the cylindrical wall 39 would be plainly apparent. For example the top 9 43 and the cylindrical wall 39 may include mating threaded or cooperating hinge portions. [0046] In this embodiment both the outer arrangement 14 and the inner arrangement 18 are made of fire retardant material. Furthermore the top 43 advantageously snap locks into position to seal the storage device 10 and complete the cable segregation process. The outer arrangement 14 provides a housing 48 that serves to protect the cable 12 wound around the inner structure 22. [0047] The cable storage device 10 is used in the following manner. The device 10 is opened by snap releasing the top 43 to an open position in which the inner structure 22 is accessible. The cable 12 is plugged, at end 50, into a communication socket. The other end 54 of the cable 12 is then wound around the inner structure 22 in a manner whereby respective portions of the cable 12 pass through a slot 56 and a slot 58 of the outer arrangement 14 ready to be inserted into a communication peripheral. The slots 56, 58 are sized to receive respective portions of the cable 12 but not communications plug 60. The winding process is achieved by having the slots 56, 58 open outwardly along the upper portion 36 of the outer arrangement 14. Following this the top 43 is snapped locked into position. [0048] Thus it will be seen that the first embodiment provides a unique solution to the problem of unsightly and dangerous cables around, power sockets, telephone lines, data service lines and so on. [0049] If desired the embodiment allows for the power board 24 to be accommodated in the region bounded by the inner periphery 20 of the inner structure 22 and supported on the outside of the outer periphery. This is particularly advantageous. Furthermore the cable storage device 10 includes four projections 37 extending from the top 43. The projections 37 are sized and shaped to fit within a circular recess 42 in the bottom 48 of another device 10. The projections 37 and recess 42 form means for stably stacking and aligning a plurality of the containers 10 placed one on top of the other, 10 [0050] The embodiment accordingly allows a person to carefully wind any excess lengths of cable (voice/data) in between the inner structure 22 and the outer arrangement 14 using the slots 32, 36 for cable entry and exit. One or more power boards 24 can be placed in the inner structure 22 and the trailing power lead thereof fed through an allocated slot. Any excess length of power cable can be placed with the inner structure 22. With the sealing arrangement electrical power boards and cables are protected from dust and accidental spills [00511 Referring to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment comprises a cable storage device 64 that is especially configured to receive a powerboard 66 having four female sockets 68 arranged in series. The device 64 includes an outer arrangement 70 and an inner arrangement 72. The inner arrangement includes an inner structure 74 that is shaped in the form of an elongate octagon providing an elongate internal periphery 76. With the use of the device 64 a person is able to readily segregate power boards/cables and TV/ancillary cables connected to TV, video and hi-fi equipment. [0052] The device 64 is made from fire resistant plastic and is rectangular in shape. The inner structure 74 provides a slotted centre octagonal compartment 78 and both the inner structure 74 and the outer arrangement 70 are closed with a common lid 80. The inner octagonal compartment has six slots 82. A first slot 84 of the slots 82 and a second slot 86 are shaped to allow conventional power electricity plugs 88 to pass therethrough. This allows for a plurality of cables to extend through each of the slots 84, 86. The shape of the slot 84 and the slot 86 resembles an inverted lollypop, open at the narrow end thereof. [0053] The outer arrangement 70 includes a base 90 and the inner structure 74 is configured such that when device 64 is supported in a normal condition, with the base 90 on the ground, the power board 66 will be horizontally disposed. [0054] Referring to Figure 5 and 6 there is shown a housing 92 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The housing 92 encloses electrical equipment 94 within a body 96. The electrical equipment 94 powers a set of lights 97.

11 [0055] The body 96 comprises a top 98 and a base 100. Within the body 96 there is a first funnel shaped element 102 that is positioned below the electrical equipment 94. There are a plurality of drainage channels 104 that are positioned to carry away fluid flowing downwardly away from the first funnel shaped element 102. [0056] A second funnel shaped element 106 is disposed below the first funnel shaped element 102. The second funnel shaped element includes the plurality of drainage channels 104. [0057] As is shown in the Figures the first funnel shape element 102 narrows in a downward direction to a discharge opening 108 and the channels 104 are arranged to direct the water from below the discharge opening 108 to a plurality of ports 110 in the body 96 for discharge from the housing 92. [0058] The bottom 100 has up to four cable snap lock box glands 112, four cable entry points 114and twelve ports 110. In the second funnel shaped element 106 there are twelve channels 104 that provide the exit paths for moisture. The first funnel shaped element 102 is constructed like a funnel skeletal like web 116. Its purpose is to support power cables/boards and provide a clear passage for moisture to hit the lower funnel shaped element 106. The top 98 is positioned above the first funnel shaped element 106 and with four hinged clip locks 118 provides a pressure seal to maintain a weather proof housing. [0059] Referring to Figure 5 it can be seen that the housing 92 accommodates electrical equipment in the form a power cord 120 of a power board 122, with the power cord 120 entering through a snap lock box gland 126. Sponge mesh 124 is wrapped around the cord 120 and, with the top 98 shut, the sponge mesh 124 and the cord 120 are tightly fitted within the snap lock box gland 126. A similar arrangement applies at snap lock box gland 128. By placing the top 98 onto the base 100, the four hinged clip locks 118 are locked down to provide a weather proof seal. Any moisture present will egress through ports 110 in the base 100.

12 [0060] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2b including a retainer 130 for external support of ancillary devices. The retainer includes a support body 132 for attachment adjacent the outer arrangement of the cable storage device and two Velcro@ straps 134, 135 as first and second support means for removal attachment to the ancillary device. The Velcro® straps 134, 135 are threaded through the support body 132 and can be manually removed from the ancillary device and/or the support body 132. [0061] Figure 8 is a conceptual view of the retainer 130 of Figure 7 viewed from below (Fig 8a) and from above (Fig 8b). The support body 132 in this embodiment it is attached to the slot 65 of the outer and inner arrangement. The support body 132 includes a generally T-shaped plate 136 and recess 138 that can be slidably received in the slot 65 with the recess 138 receiving the edge of the outer arrangement. In this view it can be readily seen how the first support means 134 and second support means 135 are threaded through the support body 132. [0062] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2 including a first retainer 130 (as shown in Figure 7) linked to a second retainer 140. The retainers 130, 140 are shown supporting an ancillary device 150, being a modem. The two retainers 130, 140 are linked together by a support means 145 comprising a Velcro@ strap passing around the retainer bodies 132, 142 and the modem 150. Because the modem 150 includes a large number of cable ports it is convenient to locate it external to the cable storage device so that the ports can be readily accessed for manual attachment/detachment/changing of cables. [0063] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

13 [0064] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. [0065] For example, embodiments of the invention extend to the inner arrangement consisting of four posts about which the cables can be wound and in which a power board can be accommodated. [0066] "Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

14 TABLE OF NUMERALS cable storage device 10 housing 92 cable 12 electrical equipment 94 outer arrangement 14 body 96 outer periphery 16 set of lights 97 an inner arrangement 18 top 98 inner periphery 20 a base 100 inner structure 22 first funnel shaped element 102 powerboard 24 plurality of drainage channels 104 plurality of sockets 26 second funnel shaped element 106 access means 28 discharge opening 108 access means 30 plurality of ports 110 slots 32 cable snap lock box glands 112 upper portion 34 cable entry points 114 slots 36 web 116 upper portion 38 clip locks 118 projections 37 power cord 120 solid cylindrical wall 39 power board 122 bottom 41 sponge mesh 124 recess 42 snap lock box gland 126 top 43 snap lock box gland 128 housing 48 first retainer 130 end 50 support body 132 other end 54 first support means 134 slot 56 second support means 135 slot 58 T-shaped plate 136 communication plug 60 recess 138 electricity plug 62 second retainer 140 cable storage device 63 retainer body 142 top portion 63' support means 143 bottom portion 63" ancillary device 150 cable storage device 64 slot 65 powerboard 66 female sockets 68 outer arrangement 70 arrangement 72 inner structure 74 elongate internal periphery 76 octagonal compartment 78 lid 80 six slots 82 slot 84 slot 86 electricity plugs 88 base 90

Claims

1. A cable storage device for electrical cables comprising: an outer arrangement defining an outer periphery; and an inner arrangement defining an inner periphery, the inner arrangement providing an inner structure about which at least one electrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries.

2. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner structure is shaped to allow a power board having a plurality of sockets to be accommodated within the inner periphery, whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure.

3. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner structure is shaped to allow a power board having at least four female sockets arranged in series to be accommodated within the inner periphery whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure.

4. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the outer arrangement includes a base for supporting the device in a horizontal condition and the inner structure is elongate and arranged such that when device is supported in the horizontal condition the power board is horizontally disposed when accommodated within the inner periphery.

5. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein the outer arrangement includes a top that is moveable to selectively allow a person to wind the at least one cable around the inner structure.

6. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the inner arrangement includes access means for allowing cable wound around the inner arrangement to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery. 16

7. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the outer arrangement includes access means for allowing cable wound around the inner periphery to extend therefrom, through the outer arrangement, to an external device.

8. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the access means of the outer arrangement is sized for allowing a power socket accessory attached to the at least one electrical cable to pass therethrough.

9. A cable storage device comprising: a housing defining an outer periphery; and a compartment internal to the housing and defining an inner periphery, the compartment providing an outer surface about which at least one electrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries.

10. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the compartment provides a storage area defining the inner periphery, the compartment being able to accommodate a power board, having a plurality of sockets, within the storage area whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the outer surface of the compartment.

11. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the storage area is able to accommodate a power board having at least four female sockets arranged in series.

12. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the outer arrangement includes a base for supporting the device in a horizontal condition and the storage area is elongate and arranged such that when device is supported in the horizontal condition the power board will horizontally disposed when accommodated. 17

13. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the housing includes a top that is moveable to selectively provide access to the compartment allow a person to wind the at least one cable around the outer surface thereof.

14. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the compartment includes access means in the form of open slots for allowing cable wound around compartment to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery.

15. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the housing includes access means in the form of open slots for allowing cable wound around the compartment to extend therefrom, through the housing, to an external device.

16. A cable storage device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the open slots of the housing are is sized for allowing a power socket accessory attached to the at least one electrical cable to pass therethrough.

17. A cable storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 which further includes a retainer for external support of ancillary devices, the retainer including; - a support body for location adjacent the outer arrangement of the cable storage device, and - at least one support means for removal attachment to the ancillary device,

18. A device according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.