US20080023358A1 - Bucket and cord - Google Patents

Bucket and cord Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080023358A1
US20080023358A1 US11/493,176 US49317606A US2008023358A1 US 20080023358 A1 US20080023358 A1 US 20080023358A1 US 49317606 A US49317606 A US 49317606A US 2008023358 A1 US2008023358 A1 US 2008023358A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
bucket
insert
cable
cord
diameter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/493,176
Inventor
Gary D. Otto
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/493,176 priority Critical patent/US20080023358A1/en
Publication of US20080023358A1 publication Critical patent/US20080023358A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25HWORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H3/00Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
    • B25H3/006Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a storage device (bucket) for an elongated cable, such as an electrical extension cord, including a container and lid that allow for easy storage while providing protection to and preventing entanglements of the extension cord.
  • a storage device for an elongated cable, such as an electrical extension cord, including a container and lid that allow for easy storage while providing protection to and preventing entanglements of the extension cord.
  • Extension cords are essential accessories for residential, industrial and commercial use of electrical items. They free electrical devices from the requirement of only being operated within a relatively short distance of five or six feet from a power source. Extension cords, thus, permit the use of such electrical devices at distances of twenty-five, fifty or even more feet away from the power source. Electricians or other workers who use electrical extension cords in lengths of twenty-five feet, fifty feet or other substantial lengths understand the difficulty and inconvenience of unwinding the cord in use and also rewinding the cord for storage purposes because such cords are difficult to keep under control. The receptacle ends of the cords become easily entangled within the length of the cord itself. In some instances workers have become so frustrated with tangled cords that they have simply thrown them away rather than take the time to untangle the cord.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,955 shows a storage device for an electrical extension cord having a male end and a female end.
  • the storage device includes a cylindrical container which could be broadly described as a bucket, the cord being wound inside the bucket.
  • Cannon U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,067 shows a cord and bucket combination referred to as a “cord caddy” wherein the cord is partially wound on the outside of the bucket and partially on the inside of the bucket.
  • Douglas U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,685 shows a cord and bucket combination wherein the bucket is provided with a central cylindrical device and wherein the cord is wound inside the bucket in the annular space between the cylindrical cord and the bucket itself.
  • the present invention includes a bucket and cord combination wherein the bucket is provided with an insert having a central axial member which, considered in light of the interior cylindrical shape of the bucket, provides an annular space wherein the cord is stored.
  • the insert need not be exactly cylindrical but can be provided with a slight taper as shown.
  • the bottom of the insert connects with a flat circular plate which is disposed above the bottom of the bucket in parallel relation thereto.
  • the bucket has a central hole in the bottom.
  • the circular plate at the bottom of the insert considered in light of the bottom of the bucket with the hole therein provides a doughnut shaped space in which the coil or pig tail end of the cord may be stored while the remainder of the cord is stored above the plate in the annular space between the insert and the bucket.
  • the side of the insert is provided with a slot from which the end of the tool may protrude into the annular space.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of all of the parts which comprise the bucket and cord.
  • FIG. 2 is a transverse view of the top of the insert looking along viewing line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the top of the bucket looking along viewing line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of all of the components shown in FIG. 1 except for the lid, with the elements being associated in their normal conditions of use.
  • FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view taken along section line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the insert itself.
  • FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the bucket in section showing the cord loosely wound around the insert in the annular space between the insert and the bucket.
  • FIG. 1 shows a bucket 10 preferably made of plastic and about one foot in diameter or slightly less and approximately eighteen to twenty inches high.
  • the bucket 10 is used to store an elongated cable, such as an electrical cord 12 , which in this case, is approximately fifty feet in length.
  • an electrical cord 12 which in this case, is approximately fifty feet in length.
  • a lid 14 may be used to cover the top of the bucket.
  • a tapered conical insert 16 is fitted into the bucket so as to provide an annular space 18 into which the majority of the cord 12 may be coiled (see now FIG. 4 ).
  • the insert 16 can be cylindrical or it can be provided with a slight taper as shown.
  • the lower end of the insert 16 is provided with a horizontal circular shoulder (plate) 20 to which is attached a short cylindrical skirt 22 which is adapted to fit against the bottom inside of the bucket 10 when the insert 16 is fitted all the way in, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • the bottom of the bucket 10 is provided with a hole 24 which, in combination with the shoulder 20 and skirt 22 provide a doughnut shaped space 26 in which the lower end, or pig tail 28 , of the cord may be coiled.
  • the circular shoulder 20 is provided with a hole 30 through which the cord 12 passes, the majority of the cord 12 being coiled in the annular space between the insert 16 and the bucket 10 and the remainder or pig tail section 28 being coiled in the doughnut shaped section 26 .
  • a bail or handle 36 is provided.
  • the latter is moved through the use of the handle 36 and transported to a place where the bucket 10 is allowed to rest on its side as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the pig tail 28 can be connected to an electrical slot and the portion of the cord 12 which is stored in the annular space 28 can be paid out of the bucket by merely pulling lightly on the cord 12 as it unwinds from the insert 16 .
  • the main body of the insert 16 is provided with a U-shaped slot 34 which permits the drill 32 to be carried in the interior of the insert 16 with the nose of the drill projecting out through the slot 34 .
  • the cable referred to herein can be a water hose or an hydraulic (air) hose.
  • the bucket 10 which has been described as being made of plastic material is preferably made of polypropylene.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A bucket and cord combination comprising a cylindrical bucket having a predetermined diameter and height for storing an elongated flexible cord therein between an inner cylindrical surface of the bucket and an outer curved surface of an axial insert received in the bucket and forming therewith an annular space for the storage of the cord, the insert having a vertical height equal to or less than the height of the bucket and having a diameter less than the diameter of the bucket, the bucket having a substantially flat circular bottom with a hole therein whose diameter is less than the diameter of the bucket, the bottom of the insert being provided with a flat shoulder extending horizontally outward from the periphery of the insert to the inner periphery of the bucket and spaced from the bottom of the bucket so as to form therewith a doughnut shaped space for storage therein of one terminal end of the cord, the other end of the cord extending from the lower terminal end thereof through a hole in the flat horizontal circular member up into the annular area between the insert and the bucket for storage of the majority of the length of the cord therein.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to a storage device (bucket) for an elongated cable, such as an electrical extension cord, including a container and lid that allow for easy storage while providing protection to and preventing entanglements of the extension cord.
  • 2. Prior Art
  • Extension cords are essential accessories for residential, industrial and commercial use of electrical items. They free electrical devices from the requirement of only being operated within a relatively short distance of five or six feet from a power source. Extension cords, thus, permit the use of such electrical devices at distances of twenty-five, fifty or even more feet away from the power source. Electricians or other workers who use electrical extension cords in lengths of twenty-five feet, fifty feet or other substantial lengths understand the difficulty and inconvenience of unwinding the cord in use and also rewinding the cord for storage purposes because such cords are difficult to keep under control. The receptacle ends of the cords become easily entangled within the length of the cord itself. In some instances workers have become so frustrated with tangled cords that they have simply thrown them away rather than take the time to untangle the cord.
  • Whether the cord becomes tangled or not, workers spend a considerable amount of time unwinding and rewinding the cords. In addition, workers have no convenient place to store the cords either on the job site or in their truck/vehicles.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,955 shows a storage device for an electrical extension cord having a male end and a female end. The storage device includes a cylindrical container which could be broadly described as a bucket, the cord being wound inside the bucket.
  • Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,878 shows a bucket where a cord can be wound partially inside of the bucket.
  • Listenberger U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,457 shows a bucket where the cord is wound in spiral fashion inside the bucket.
  • Cannon U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,067 shows a cord and bucket combination referred to as a “cord caddy” wherein the cord is partially wound on the outside of the bucket and partially on the inside of the bucket.
  • Douglas U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,685 shows a cord and bucket combination wherein the bucket is provided with a central cylindrical device and wherein the cord is wound inside the bucket in the annular space between the cylindrical cord and the bucket itself.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention includes a bucket and cord combination wherein the bucket is provided with an insert having a central axial member which, considered in light of the interior cylindrical shape of the bucket, provides an annular space wherein the cord is stored. The insert need not be exactly cylindrical but can be provided with a slight taper as shown. The bottom of the insert connects with a flat circular plate which is disposed above the bottom of the bucket in parallel relation thereto. The bucket has a central hole in the bottom. The circular plate at the bottom of the insert, considered in light of the bottom of the bucket with the hole therein provides a doughnut shaped space in which the coil or pig tail end of the cord may be stored while the remainder of the cord is stored above the plate in the annular space between the insert and the bucket.
  • For the purpose of providing a convenient location for an electrical tool, for example, an electrical drill, the side of the insert is provided with a slot from which the end of the tool may protrude into the annular space.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of all of the parts which comprise the bucket and cord.
  • FIG. 2 is a transverse view of the top of the insert looking along viewing line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the top of the bucket looking along viewing line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of all of the components shown in FIG. 1 except for the lid, with the elements being associated in their normal conditions of use.
  • FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a transverse view taken along viewing line 6-6 of FIG. 4 showing the cord wound up inside of the bucket in the annular space between the insert and the bucket itself.
  • FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the insert itself.
  • FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the bucket in section showing the cord loosely wound around the insert in the annular space between the insert and the bucket.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • FIG. 1 shows a bucket 10 preferably made of plastic and about one foot in diameter or slightly less and approximately eighteen to twenty inches high. The bucket 10 is used to store an elongated cable, such as an electrical cord 12, which in this case, is approximately fifty feet in length. When the cord 12 is stored in the bucket 10, a lid 14 may be used to cover the top of the bucket.
  • In order to provide an ease of storing of the cord 12 in the bucket 10, a tapered conical insert 16 is fitted into the bucket so as to provide an annular space 18 into which the majority of the cord 12 may be coiled (see now FIG. 4). Actually, the insert 16 can be cylindrical or it can be provided with a slight taper as shown. The lower end of the insert 16 is provided with a horizontal circular shoulder (plate) 20 to which is attached a short cylindrical skirt 22 which is adapted to fit against the bottom inside of the bucket 10 when the insert 16 is fitted all the way in, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The bottom of the bucket 10 is provided with a hole 24 which, in combination with the shoulder 20 and skirt 22 provide a doughnut shaped space 26 in which the lower end, or pig tail 28, of the cord may be coiled. The circular shoulder 20 is provided with a hole 30 through which the cord 12 passes, the majority of the cord 12 being coiled in the annular space between the insert 16 and the bucket 10 and the remainder or pig tail section 28 being coiled in the doughnut shaped section 26.
  • In order to move the bucket conveniently from one location to another, a bail or handle 36 is provided. Generally, when one is wanting to use the cord 12 in the bucket 10, the latter is moved through the use of the handle 36 and transported to a place where the bucket 10 is allowed to rest on its side as shown in FIG. 8. The pig tail 28 can be connected to an electrical slot and the portion of the cord 12 which is stored in the annular space 28 can be paid out of the bucket by merely pulling lightly on the cord 12 as it unwinds from the insert 16.
  • In order to permit storage of a tool such as a drill 32 (shown in FIG. 4) the main body of the insert 16 is provided with a U-shaped slot 34 which permits the drill 32 to be carried in the interior of the insert 16 with the nose of the drill projecting out through the slot 34.
  • Although this disclosure refers to a cable broadly and to an electrical extension cord 12 specifically, other types of cables can be employed in this bucket & cable combination; for example, the cable referred to herein can be a water hose or an hydraulic (air) hose. The bucket 10, which has been described as being made of plastic material is preferably made of polypropylene.

Claims (6)

1. A cylindrical bucket having a predetermined diameter and height for storing an elongated flexible cable therein between an inner cylindrical surface of the bucket and an outer curved surface of an axial insert received in the bucket and forming therewith an annular space for the storage of the cable, the insert having a vertical height equal to or less than the height of the bucket and having a diameter less than the diameter of the bucket, the bucket having a substantially flat circular bottom with a hole therein whose diameter is less than the diameter of the bucket, the lower end of the insert being provided with a flat shoulder extending horizontally outward from the periphery of the insert to the inner periphery of the bucket and spaced from the bottom of the bucket so as to form therewith a doughnut shaped space for storage therein of one terminal end of the cable, the other end of the cable extending from the lower terminal end thereof through a hole in the flat horizontal circular member up into the annular area between the insert and the bucket for storage of the majority of the length of the cable therein.
2. A bucket and cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the insert is tapered convergingly upwardly as to form a substantially conical surface.
3. A bucket and cable combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the conical surface is provided with a slot to accommodate the end of a tool in the interior of the insert.
4. A bucket and cable combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cable is an electrical extension cord.
5. A bucket and cable combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cable is a water hose.
6. A bucket and cable combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cable is an air hose.
US11/493,176 2006-07-27 2006-07-27 Bucket and cord Abandoned US20080023358A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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US11/493,176 US20080023358A1 (en) 2006-07-27 2006-07-27 Bucket and cord

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US11/493,176 US20080023358A1 (en) 2006-07-27 2006-07-27 Bucket and cord

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090294308A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Protector for portable electronic device
US20130140388A1 (en) * 2010-06-07 2013-06-06 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Storage package for string-like material and method for storing string-like material
US8662300B1 (en) * 2006-10-16 2014-03-04 William Arena System and method for attaching tools to a bucket
US8936153B1 (en) * 2011-05-04 2015-01-20 Southwire Company, Llc Multiple conductor container
US9257803B2 (en) * 2014-05-02 2016-02-09 Giuseppe Alagna Power strip holder
US9867300B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2018-01-09 Southwire Company, Llc Multiple conductor container
CN108188991A (en) * 2018-02-13 2018-06-22 苏州品匠机电技术有限公司 The mating storage device of electric tool
US10214380B2 (en) 2017-01-23 2019-02-26 Plews, Inc. Bucket reel device
US10232868B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2019-03-19 Southwire Company, Llc Container for storing conductors
US10554025B2 (en) 2015-09-01 2020-02-04 Southwire Company, Llc Conductor identification
USD934061S1 (en) * 2019-07-15 2021-10-26 Cragg Technologies Llc Cord pail

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2943732A (en) * 1956-04-09 1960-07-05 Coulter & Mckenzie Machine Co Package and container forming part thereof
US3337682A (en) * 1965-04-30 1967-08-22 Rexall Drug Chemical Cord caddy
US4161248A (en) * 1977-10-17 1979-07-17 Universal Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. Container for wire spool
US4226329A (en) * 1979-06-07 1980-10-07 David Knight Sanding disc container
US4875878A (en) * 1988-11-16 1989-10-24 Meyer Flooring Inc. Extension cord/tool carrier
US4984685A (en) * 1990-01-02 1991-01-15 Douglas Frank A Portable container for elongated elements
US5421457A (en) * 1994-06-14 1995-06-06 Listenberger; Paul A. Cord bucket
US5449067A (en) * 1995-01-13 1995-09-12 Cannon; Robert K. Extension cord caddy
US5738209A (en) * 1996-12-23 1998-04-14 General Motors Corporation Cable storage container
US5848701A (en) * 1997-07-08 1998-12-15 Riccabona; Michael A. Tool bucket with electrical cord storage
US6968955B2 (en) * 2004-01-07 2005-11-29 Dorian Steeber Electric extension cord storage device

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2943732A (en) * 1956-04-09 1960-07-05 Coulter & Mckenzie Machine Co Package and container forming part thereof
US3337682A (en) * 1965-04-30 1967-08-22 Rexall Drug Chemical Cord caddy
US4161248A (en) * 1977-10-17 1979-07-17 Universal Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. Container for wire spool
US4226329A (en) * 1979-06-07 1980-10-07 David Knight Sanding disc container
US4875878A (en) * 1988-11-16 1989-10-24 Meyer Flooring Inc. Extension cord/tool carrier
US4984685A (en) * 1990-01-02 1991-01-15 Douglas Frank A Portable container for elongated elements
US5421457A (en) * 1994-06-14 1995-06-06 Listenberger; Paul A. Cord bucket
US5449067A (en) * 1995-01-13 1995-09-12 Cannon; Robert K. Extension cord caddy
US5738209A (en) * 1996-12-23 1998-04-14 General Motors Corporation Cable storage container
US5848701A (en) * 1997-07-08 1998-12-15 Riccabona; Michael A. Tool bucket with electrical cord storage
US6968955B2 (en) * 2004-01-07 2005-11-29 Dorian Steeber Electric extension cord storage device

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8662300B1 (en) * 2006-10-16 2014-03-04 William Arena System and method for attaching tools to a bucket
US20090294308A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Protector for portable electronic device
US20130140388A1 (en) * 2010-06-07 2013-06-06 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Storage package for string-like material and method for storing string-like material
US9796494B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2017-10-24 Southwire Company, Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US9145219B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2015-09-29 Southwire Company Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US8936153B1 (en) * 2011-05-04 2015-01-20 Southwire Company, Llc Multiple conductor container
US10843830B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2020-11-24 Southwire Company, Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US11858674B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2024-01-02 Southwire Company, Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US11267598B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2022-03-08 Southwire Company, Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US10427816B1 (en) 2011-05-04 2019-10-01 Southwire Company, Llc Method for laying multiple conductors in a container
US9867300B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2018-01-09 Southwire Company, Llc Multiple conductor container
US10232868B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2019-03-19 Southwire Company, Llc Container for storing conductors
US10356924B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2019-07-16 Southwire Company, Llc Method of dispensing multiple sheathed conductors from a container
US11208133B1 (en) 2012-05-04 2021-12-28 Southwire Company, Llc Cart
US9257803B2 (en) * 2014-05-02 2016-02-09 Giuseppe Alagna Power strip holder
US10554025B2 (en) 2015-09-01 2020-02-04 Southwire Company, Llc Conductor identification
US11264784B2 (en) 2015-09-01 2022-03-01 Southwire Company, Llc Conductor identification
US11916360B2 (en) 2015-09-01 2024-02-27 Southwire Company, Llc Conductor identification
US10214380B2 (en) 2017-01-23 2019-02-26 Plews, Inc. Bucket reel device
CN108188991A (en) * 2018-02-13 2018-06-22 苏州品匠机电技术有限公司 The mating storage device of electric tool
USD934061S1 (en) * 2019-07-15 2021-10-26 Cragg Technologies Llc Cord pail

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