US20130220872A1

US20130220872A1 - Cable Storage Case With Articulating Door

Info

Publication number: US20130220872A1
Application number: US13/407,410
Authority: US
Inventors: Kurt R. Stiehl; Jack J. WANDERMAN
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2012-02-28
Filing date: 2012-02-28
Publication date: 2013-08-29

Abstract

A case can simultaneously enclose an object and restrain an associated cable, which can be attached to the object. The case has a base having an interior recess for storing the object and one or more peripheral recesses along the perimeter of the case that form winding areas for wrapping the associated cable. One or more doors are pivotably attached to the base so as to removably cover at least a portion of the winding areas to restrain the cable therein. One or more doors can be hinged on either side, bottom, or in the middle of the base. The one or more doors can also cover at least a portion of the interior recess to secure the object in the interior recess.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cases for storing accessories, and in particular, to a cable storage case having one or more articulating doors that can restrain a cable and can also hold an associated object which may be attached to the cable.
2. Background Art
Cable storage devices typically include, for example, cable ties, twist ties, and velcro ties. As used herein, a cable can include any elongated flexible material (e.g., rope, chain, line, wire, cord, or string; a woven or twisted length of fabric, metal, or plastic; a length of extruded or cast metal or plastic or metal). Cable storage devices can also include boxlike housings typically consisting of a box and a detachable lid, which can store a wide range of other objects in addition to the cable. For example, such housings can include a headphones container (holding headphones and their associated cabling) and a fish tackle box (holding fishing lures and their associated cabling, i.e., fishing line). The box can be internally divided to provide separate compartments for accommodating the cable and other objects which may be attached to the cable. For example, one compartment is configured to contain the headphones or fishing lure, and another compartment is configured to contain the associated cable. In some instances, the associated cable may be permanently secured to the headphones or fishing lure, respectively. The cable connected to the headphones or lure is therefore rolled up and accommodated in the box in addition to the headphones or lure. Typically, the cable is rolled up randomly, generally becoming tangled. The cable can be disentangled only with difficulty and often kinks are formed in the cable. Such treatment will eventually lead to damage to the cable, rendering the associated object (e.g., headphones or lure) unusable unless the cable can be repaired or replaced. Moreover, the disorderly cable may project out of the box, making it difficult to secure the lid thereto. Also, the lid can be misplaced or lost when it is removed from the box during retrieval or storage of the cable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In broad terms, a cable storage case provides a housing designed to enable an orderly accommodation of a cable or a cabled item. The cabled item can include an object and an associated cable, which can be attached to the object. The case is provided with one or more articulating doors. For example, the case can be designed to store cabled items such as headphones, power cords, fishing line, sailing equipment, audio/visual equipment, telecom/networking products, jewelry, medical devices, toys, and games. The case can simultaneously enclose the object and restrain the associated cable. The case has a base having an interior recess for storing the object and one or more peripheral recesses along the perimeter of the base that form respective winding areas for wrapping the associated cable. One or more doors are pivotably attached to the base so as to removably cover at least a portion of the winding areas to restrain the cable therein. One or more doors can be hinged on either side, bottom, or in the middle of the base. The one or more doors can also cover at least a portion of the interior recess of the base to secure the object in the interior recess.
Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention by way of example, and not by way of limitation. The drawings together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a case with articulating doors in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the case of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the case of FIG. 1 with the articulating doors in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the case of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the case of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of the case of FIG. 1 with the articulating doors in the open position showing storage of headphones, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the case of FIG. 6 with the articulating doors in the closed position with the headphones enclosed and its associated cable restrained, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of a case with articulating doors in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the case of FIG. 8 with the articulating doors in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of a base portion of the case shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11 is a perspective side view of an articulating door of the case shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of a portion of a case with an articulating door in a closed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13 is a perspective side view of the portion of the case in FIG. 12 with the articulating door in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 14 is a perspective top view of a case showing an articulating door in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a case showing an articulating door in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of a case with an articulating door in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a case with an articulating door in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other applications.
In embodiments presented herein, a cable storage case includes one or more articulating doors. The case is designed to hold items that include an object with an associated cable. A cable can include any elongated flexible material (e.g., elongated rope, chain, line, wire, cord, or string; a woven or twisted length of fabric, metal, or plastic; a length of extruded or cast metal or plastic or metal). Exemplary items that can be held by the case include headphones, power cords, fishing line, sailing equipment, audio visual equipment, telecom networking products, jewelry, medical devices, toys and games. The case can simultaneously enclose the object and restrain the associated cable. Exemplary embodiments of a case will now be described with reference to the figures.
An exemplary case 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-7, in accordance with embodiments presented herein. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate case 10 in a closed position, and FIG. 3 illustrates case 10 in an open position. Case 10 includes a base 12 and one or more articulating doors. In the embodiment of case 10 illustrated, two articulating doors 14 and 16 are pivotably attached to base 12. Base 12 has opposing left and right sides 12 a and 12 b, upper and lower sides 12 d and 12 c, a bottom surface 13 and a top surface 18. An interior recess 34 is formed in top surface 18 of base 12. Interior recess 34 communicates with a channel recess 32 formed in top surface 18 and extending from interior recess 34 to lower side 12 c of base 12. Each of left and right sides 12 a and 12 b have formed therein a peripheral recesses 36. Each peripheral recess 36 forms a winding area 37 for wrapping a cable (see cable 44, FIGS. 6 and 7). In the embodiment shown, peripheral recess 36 has an arcuate surface 36 a. An indentation 38 is provided in at least one of left and right peripheral recesses 36. In the embodiment shown, indentation 38 is provided in peripheral recess 36 of side 12 a. Indentation 38 can have a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an end of the cable, and can be configured to secure the end of the cable therein by an interference fit. In one embodiment, indentation 38 can have a contour shaped to receive an audio jack or other connector end attached the cable. With this configuration, an object (e.g., ear buds) attached to a cable can be stored in interior recess 34. The associated cable can extend through channel recess 34 and be wrapped around the periphery of base 12 so that portions of the cable are disposed in peripheral recesses 36 which serve as cable winding areas 37. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate case 10 in respective open and closed positions with a pair of headphones 48 stored therein. Headphones 48 include ear buds 42 disposed in interior recess 34 and an associated cable 44 extending through channel 32 and wrapping around base 12 so that cable 44 is disposed in winding areas 37 formed by peripheral recesses 36. An audio jack 46 at the distal end of cable 44 is press fit in indentation 38 provided in recess 36.
One or more doors are provided on base 12 for restraining the cable (e.g., cable 44) within winding areas 37 formed by recesses 36. The one or more doors can also be configured to cover all or part of interior recess 34 and all or part of channel recess 32, so as to secure the object (e.g., ear buds 42) within base 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, case 10 includes opposing doors 14 and 16 moveably provided on respective left side 12 a and right side 12 b of base 12. Door 16 can be configured as a mirror image of door 14. Thus, in this embodiment, each door 14 and 16 has a top portion 20 and opposing C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b. Top portion 20 can have a planar, or flat, surface as shown, or other surface configuration (e.g., undulating, convex or concave), or any combination thereof.
Each C-shaped side portion 22 a and 22 b has a lower and upper tapered end 24 a and 24 b that oppose each other and define an opening 23 (see FIG. 4) for receiving a cable. Each side portion 22 a and 22 b also includes an elongated restraining portion 26, and upper and lower portions 27 a and 27 b that extends between tapered ends 24 a and 24 b. Upper and lower portions 27 a and 27 b extend from respective tapered ends 24 a and 24 b to respective opposite ends of restraining portion 26. Thus, tapered ends 24 a and 24 b and portions 27 a and 27 b, together with restraining portion 26, form a side portion 22 a (or 22 b). As shown in the side view of case 10 of FIG. 4, upper and lower portions 27 a and 27 b and restraining portion 26 together form a shape of a “C” (or C-shape) that defines an arcuate interior surface 21 substantially corresponding to arcuate surface 36 a of peripheral recess 36.
Each door 14 and 16 articulates on base 12. C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of each door are in contact with peripheral recess 36 of base 12 and are rotatably mounted in recess 36. A recessed circular track 19 is formed in a peripheral edge of peripheral recess 36 where arcuate surface 36 meets a cam recess 11. Cam recess 11 is provided in respective lower side 12 c and upper side 12 d of base 12 immediately adjacent to peripheral recess 36. C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of each door 14 and 16 are disposed on cam recess 11 of sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12. Each C-shaped side portion 22 a and 22 b has a rail 28 provided along an interior surface and fitted into respective tracks 19 of peripheral recess 36 at lower and upper sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12 (best shown in FIG. 2). During assembly of case 10, doors 14 and 16 can be attached to base 12 by snap-fitting each of rails 28 into respective tracks 19. The rotation of each door 14 and 16 on base 12 is guided by rails 28 moving along respective circular tracks 19 on lower and upper sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12.
When case 10 is in an open position (see FIGS. 3-6), arcuate interior surface 21 of each C-shaped side portion 22 a and 22 b of each door 14 and 16 aligns with arcuate surface 36 a of peripheral recess 36. Tapered ends 24 b and 24 a face outwardly away from base 12, and opening 23 defined by tapered ends 24 a and 24 b communicates with peripheral recess 36. In the open position, a portion of cable 44 can be inserted into recess 36 in each left and right sides 12 a and 12 b, with a remaining portion of cable 44 wrapping around lower and upper sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 6). To restrain cable 44, each of doors 14 and 16 are pivoted on base 12 along track 19 to a closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. In the closed position (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 7), restraining portion 26 of each door 14 and 16 serves to restrain the portion of cable 44 within recess 36 on respective sides 22 a and 22 b of base 12. Restraining portion 26 of each of C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b faces outwardly and crosses over peripheral recess 36, thereby restraining the portion of the cable 44 within recess 36. In this position, each of side portions 22 a and 22 b has been rotated in cam recess 11 (guided by rail 28 in track 19) so that arcuate interior surface 21 of side portions 22 a and 22 b do not align with arcuate surface 36 a of peripheral recess 36. Rather, peripheral recess 36 is obstructed by restraining portion 26 such that the portion of cable 44 residing in recess 36 cannot be removed therefrom. In the embodiment shown, restraining portion 26 obstructs only upper and lower ends of arcuate surface 36 a at respective upper and lower sides 12 d and 12 c of base 12. Recess 36 is exposed between respective restraining portions 26 of C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.
Also in the closed position, planar top portion 20 of doors 14 and 16 cover interior recess 34 and channel 32, thereby securing an object (e.g., ear buds 42) stored therein (see FIG. 7). Optionally, interior recess 34 can be contoured in the shape of the object to be received (e.g., in the shape of ear buds 42) such that the object can nest securely in recess 34 without moving. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, base 12 can be provided with a contoured, nested interior recess 34′ which is a recess in top surface 18 of base 12 that has a contour substantially matching the contour of ear buds 42. In this way, ear buds 42 are secured and nested in recess 34′ so as to not shift in recess 34′ during handling of case 10. In some embodiments, doors 14 and 16 cover substantially the entirety of recess 34 (or 34′). In some embodiments, doors 14 and 16 can cover only a portion of recess 34 (or 34′), and in some embodiments, one or both of doors 14 and 16 do not cover any portion of recess 34 (or 34′). With nested interior recess 34′, it is not necessary for doors 14 and/or 16 to cover any portion of the interior recess 34′ to prevent ear buds 42 from falling out of base 12. For example, in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, doors 14 and 16 are provided to restrain the cable in recess 36 while interior recess 34 remains exposed. In such instances, recess 34 can be configured as nested interior recess 34′ so as to secure the object (e.g., ear buds 42) within base 12.
In some embodiments, rotation of doors 14 and 16 to the open position can be limited by base 12. As shown in FIG. 4, doors 14 and 16 rotate until restraining portion 26 of each door 14 and 16 abuts against an edge 40 on lower side 12 c of base 12. Thus, edge 40 of base 12 stops further rotation of doors 14 and 15 beyond the illustrated open position, thereby serving to limit the range of articulation of doors 14 and 16. In some embodiments, doors 14 and 16 can be configured to be rotated manually or automatically (e.g., by mechanical or electrical means). In the embodiment of case 10 shown, in which doors 14 and 16 have restraining portions 26 that extend below bottom surface 13 of base 12 in the open position (see FIG. 4), base 12 can be used to leverage doors 14 and 16 upward for facilitating closing of doors 14 and 16. Specifically, force in the downward direction F can be applied on top surface 18 of base 12 as shown in FIG. 4, whereby base 12 is pushed downward at edge 40 to force doors 14 and 16 to rotate upward in the direction of arrow U. The user can then manually move doors 14 and 16 any remaining distance to the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
To maintain doors 14 and 16 in the closed position, C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of doors 14 and 16 can be fitted on base 12 so that the friction between side portions 22 a and 22 b and base 12 serves to doors 14 and 16 in a closed position without requiring a further securing means to prevent unwanted opening of doors 14 and 16. In some embodiments, a securing means is provided to couple doors 14 and 16 to base 12 in the closed position. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, top surface 18 of base 12 can include a recess 15 that corresponds with a securing mechanism 25 extending from the interim surface of planar top portion 20 of each door 14 and 16. Securing mechanism 25 can be a snap, for example, that engages with mating recess 15 provided in base 12. Alternatively, securing mechanism 25 can be mounted on base 12, with mating recess 15 formed in the interior surface of planar top portion 20. Other securing means as known to one skilled in the art can also be provided for securing doors 14 and 16 to base 12 in the closed position, such as a hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets or any of various known closures configurations. For example, in some embodiments, an overhanging hook can extend from planar top portion 20 (in place of the illustrated snap 25) and engage a channel provided in lower and/or upper sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12 (in place of the illustrated mating recess 15). In some embodiments, case 10 can be provided with an additional lid (not shown) that is applied over base 12 and doors 14 and 16 to further secure case 10 in the closed position.
In some embodiments, door 14 and/or door 16 can be provided with spring(s) biasing the doors open and/or closed, so as to permit the door to remain open and/or closed by spring bias after the door has been rotated beyond a certain point. For example, the door can have a biased-close spring, in which the door is spring biased closed after the door has been rotated toward the closed position past a certain point. In such embodiments, when the door is in the open position, a latch can be provided to maintain the door open against the biased-close spring. The door can be have a biased-open spring that biases the door open once the door has been rotated open beyond a certain point. A release mechanism can be provided to release the latch or biased-open spring and allow the door to spring back closed under spring bias. For example, in some embodiments, a knob can be used to overcome the spring bias of the biased-close spring to extend doors 14 and 16 open and a press button can be used to release a latch on the biased-close spring so that doors 14 and 16 slam shut. Doors 14 and 16 can be spring biased using any spring configuration known to one of skill in the art, including a torsion spring, for example. In some embodiments, such as will be described with referenced to FIG. 16, a spring metal forming a living hinge can be provided to attach doors 14 and 16 to base 12 such that doors 14 and 16 are spring biased to the closed position. Additional configurations should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the present application.
In some embodiments, door 14 and/or door 16 can also be configured to close off recess 36 such that winding area 37 is not exposed on left and right sides 12 a and 12 b of base 12 when case 10 is in the closed position. FIGS. 8-11 illustrate an embodiment of a case 50 having such a configuration. Case 50 is similar to the embodiment of case 10, but the doors of case 50 are configured to close off recesses 36 of winding area 37. As shown, case 50 has doors 14′ and 16′ in which a retaining wall 29 extends between the respective restraining portions 26 of opposing C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of the each door 14′ and 16′. As illustrated in FIG. 10, base 12 is modified to include a recess 52 a extending from its bottom surface 13 between its upper and lower sides 12 d and 12 c. Recess 52 a accommodates retaining portion 26 and associated retaining wall 29 when the case is in an open position (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 11, wall 29 of door 14′ (and 16′) can be configured to have an arcuate interior surface 29 a that corresponds with arcuate surface 36 a of recess 36 of base 12. Door 16′ can be configured as a mirror image of door 14′, and is therefore not shown in FIG. 11.
Door 14′ (and 16′) can rotate around arcuate surface 36 a so as to position wall 29 within recesses 22 a and 52 b when case 50 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 9, and to position restraining wall 29 over peripheral recess 36 when case 50 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, in the closed position, cable 44 would be exposed only where it extends out of winding areas 37 formed by recesses 36 and wraps along upper and lower side 12 d and 12 c of base 12. As mentioned earlier, an additional lid (not shown) can also be provided over base 12 and doors 14′ and 16′ to further secure and protect cable on base 12. Case 50 is otherwise similar to case 10, and further description of the features of case 50 are therefore not described in detail again.
A further variation of case 10 is illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13. As shown, in a modified case 10′, door 14 is replaced with a modified door 14″. A mirror image of modified door 14″ also replaces door 16 and is therefore not shown in the illustrated partial view of case 10′. Door 14″ is configured to restrain cable 44 within peripheral recess 36 by virtue of restraining portions 26 of C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of door 14″. Door 14″ is similar to door 14 of case 10 described above, but which has been modified to exclude planar top portion 20 that would have extended over interior recess 34. Thus, interior recess 34 remains exposed when door 14″ is closed. In the embodiment shown, interior recess 34 is provided as nested interior recess 34′ for securing (e.g., by interference fit) an object therein, as earlier described. FIG. 12 shows modified case 10′ in the closed position, and FIG. 13 shows modified case 10′ in the open position. In the open position, peripheral recess 36 is accessible for receiving a cable therein. As earlier described, in this position, arcuate interior surface 21 of C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b align with arcuate surface 36 a of peripheral recess 36. Tapered ends 24 a and 24 b face outwardly, and opening 23 defined by tapered ends 24 a and 24 b communicates with peripheral recess 36 to provide a space through which a cable can pass. In the closed position, tapered ends 24 a and 24 b face inwardly while restraining portion 26 faces outwardly and extends over peripheral recess 36 at its upper and lower ends adjacent upper and lower sides 12 d and 12 c of base 12. Peripheral recess 36 remains exposed between restraining portions 26 of respective C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 b of door 14″. Additional features of modified case 10′ are similar to that of case 10 and are therefore not described in detail again.
Additional embodiments of a case having one or more articulating doors will now be described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 14-17. In some embodiments, a case can include one or more doors, with each door being formed as a rotatable latch. The latch is pivotably attached to the base and configured to cover only a portion of the winding area for restraining the cable within the winding area of the base. The interior recess for the object can be designed to secure the object therein (e.g., by interference fit), without requiring any covering by the door. FIG. 14 illustrates a case 60 having a base 62 and a “door” that is configured as a rotatable latch 64. Latch 64 is in contact with and rotatably mounted in a side periphery 66 of base 62. Base 62 can include a top surface 68 having formed therein cable channel 32 and interior recess 34, similar to the above-described embodiments of base 12. In some embodiments, interior recess 34 can be nested recess 34′ for securing therein an object that is attachable to an associated cable. Side periphery 66 defines all sides of base 62 extending between top surface 68 and a bottom surface 69. Side periphery 66 of base 62 includes a peripheral recess 86 that forms winding area 37 for receiving a cable therein. Recess 86 can have an arcuate interior surface (similar to arcuate surface 36 a of recesses 36 in the illustrated embodiment of case 10). In some embodiments, recess 86 serving as winding area 37 can extend along all or part of side periphery 66 of base 62. In some embodiments, recess 86 extends along substantially the entirety of side periphery 66. Moreover, case 60 is shown as having a rectangular shape. In some embodiments, case 60 can be any other geometric shapes, such as, e.g., a triangular, circular or oval shape.
While one latch 64 is shown in the embodiment illustrated, it should be understood that a plurality of latches 64 can be pivotably attached to base 62 at spaced apart positions on side periphery 66. In some embodiments, latch 64 can be similar in configuration as a C-shaped side portion 22 a (or 22 b) of earlier described doors 14 and 14″. Thus, latch 64 has a C-shape when in the side view. C-shaped latch 64 can also include restraining portion 26 extending between lower and upper tapered ends 24 a and 24 b that define opening 23 for receiving a cable. When C-shaped latch 64 is an open position, tapered ends 24 b and 24 a face outwardly away from base 62, and opening 23 communicates with peripheral recess 86. In this open position (which is illustrated in FIG. 14), a cable (e.g., cable 44, see FIG. 6) can be extended through opening 23 into winding area 37 formed by recess 86 and wrapped around side periphery 66 of base 62. To restrain cable in recess 86, latch 64 is rotatably attached to base 62 so as to move from the open position to a closed position in which tapered portions 24 a and 24 b face inwardly toward base 62. Similar to earlier described embodiments of a door in the closed position (see, e.g., the closed position of C-shaped portion 22 a of door 14″ shown in FIG. 12), restraining portion 26 faces outwardly and crosses over peripheral recess 86. Thus, restraining portion 26 serves as a bar across a portion of peripheral recess 86, thereby preventing a cable wound in the recess 86 from unwinding and detaching from case 60. Latch 64 can rotate upwardly as illustrated by the arrow R to reach the closed position for restraining a cable within recess 86. Alternatively or in addition to upward rotation, latch 64 can be configured to rotate downwardly to reach the closed position. Any conventional means can be used to rotatably attach latch 64 to base 62 and secure latch in the closed position.
FIG. 15 illustrates a case 70 having a single door 74 pivotably attached to a base 72 to swing from lower side 12 c upwardly in the direction as illustrated by the arrow R to reach the closed position. Base 72 includes cable channel recess 32 and interior recess 34 similar to the above-described embodiments. Door 74 rotates on base 72 by virtue of C-shaped side portions 22 a and 22 c pivotably attached on sides 12 a and 12 b of base 72. Thus, case 70 is similarly configured as case 10 but provided with a single door attached to opposing left and right sides 12 a and 12 b of base 12, rather than lower and upper sides 12 c and 12 d of base 12 as provided in case 10. In this embodiment, door 74 can extend over all or part of each of recesses 32 and 34 for securing the object therein, and it is not necessary that interior recess 34 be nested recess 34′. Nonetheless, in some embodiments, case 72 can be provided with nested interior recess 34′ such as in the earlier described embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 14. Additional features of case 70 are similar to case 10, and therefore are not described in detail again.
FIG. 16 illustrates a partial side view of a case 80 in which base 12 is connected to a door 84 by a living hinge. The living hinge includes hinge regions 84 a and 84 b that facilitate bending of door 84 at these regions. Door 84 extends from bottom surface 13 of base, and in some embodiments can be spring biased to the closed position by virtue of the living hinge. Thus, when door 84 is in the open position as illustrated, the living hinge biases door 84 to pivot in the direction R to the closed position shown in phantom lines. When door 84 is in the closed position, the user forces door 84 to the open position against the spring bias of the living hinge. Base 12 can be formed of plastic or metal, and door 84 which is integral thereto can be formed of an elastic plastic or spring metal so as to serve as a living hinge. In the embodiment shown, base 12, door 84 and the living hinge together form a monolithic stricture, whereby the living hinge is an integral part of door 84. Also in the embodiment shown, hinge regions 84 a and 84 b are indentations in the material forming door 84 so as to have a thickness that is less than other regions of door 84 to facilitate bending. Whether or not door 84 is spring biased closed by the living hinge, door 84 can be secured in the closed position by a securing mechanism (see, e.g., securing mechanism 25 and corresponding recess 15 illustrated in FIG. 2). Door 84 can have a length such that in its closed position, door 84 extends over either or both of interior recess 34 and cable channel recess 32. A second door (not shown) that is a mirror image of door 84 can be provided on the opposite side of case 80 and can have a similar functionality as door 84. Accordingly, similar to door 16 of case 10, this second door opposite door 84 can be configured to selectively extend over a winding area provided on the opposite side of base 12, as well as extend over either or both of interior recess 34 and cable channel recess 32. Additional features of case 80 are similar to case 10, and therefore are not described in detail again.
FIG. 17 illustrates a case 90 having a single door 94 provided on left hand side 12 a of base 12. Single door 94 can rotate from an open position to a closed position illustrated by arrow R so as to extend over interior and channel recesses 32 and 34 and also extend over peripheral recess 36 on right hand side 12 b of base 12. Specifically, door 94 has a vertical portion 99 extending from an end 94 a that is opposite an end 94 b that is provided with side portion 22 a. Vertical portion 99 of door 94 extends over recess 36 on right side 12 b of base 12 when door is pivoted to its closed position. In this way, case 90 has a configuration in which a single door (i.e., door 94) can cover each of the left and right peripheral recesses 36 of left and right sides 12 a and 12 b of base 12 as well as cover recesses 32 and 34 formed in top surface 18. In some embodiments, door 94 is rotatably attached on right hand side 12 b of base 12 so as to rotated from right hand side 12 b to left hand side 12 a of base 12 when door is pivoted to its closed position. In other embodiments, door is rotatably attached on either the top side, or the bottom side, of base 12, so as to rotate from the top side to bottom side, or from the bottom side to top side. In some embodiments, vertical portion 99 can be omitted, in which door 94 simply extends over left hand peripheral recess 36 of left hand side 12 a and over interior recess 34 and/or channel 32, leaving recess 36 on right side 12 b of base 12 exposed. However, door 94 would restrain cable 44 within recess 36 on left side 12 a, and therefore cable 44 would be prevented from detaching from case 90. Additional features of case 90 are similar to case 10, and therefore will not be described in detail again.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Thus, additional configurations are within the scope of the invention. For example, a door mounted on base 12 can be hinged on either side, bottom or in the middle of base 12, or any combination thereof. For example, a case have a single door or double doors that are hinged in the middle of base 12. A door hinged in the middle of base 12 can rotate similar to a butterfly wing to cover a winding area 37 of base 12. Moreover, in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the door(s) attached to the base can be spring loaded as earlier described so as to stay open after a certain point and/or be spring loaded so as to stay closed after a certain point. The case can have a corresponding latch or release mechanism for selectively maintaining and releasing the load on the spring. Further variations should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, wrapping of cable 44 around the periphery of base 12 can be facilitated by providing a rotating disk coupled to base 12 that is rotated by the user so that base 12 rotates and winds cable 44.
It should also be apparent that the directional terminology used herein is provided for convenience only and not limitation. For example, in some embodiments, case 10 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 can be considered as having door 14 and 16 provided on lower and upper sides 12 c and 12 d, instead of left and right sides 12 a and 12 b. It should be understood that any features of an embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any features of any other embodiment disclosed herein, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, any of the features of a case described with reference to one of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-17 can be combined with any features described with reference to one or more other embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. 1-17. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. In addition, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A case comprising:

a base including a side surface having a peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving a cable; and

a door having a restraining portion contacting the peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the recess, the door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion traverses at least a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the winding area.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base.

3. The case of claim 2, wherein the interior recess has a contoured surface substantially corresponding to a shape of the object receivable therein, the contoured surface being configured to secure the object in the interior recess by an interference fit.

4. The case of claim 3, wherein the door includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.

5. The case of claim 4, wherein the top portion is configured to cover substantially the entirety of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.

6. The case of claim 5, wherein the top portion of the door has a planar surface.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the door includes upper and lower portions that extend from respective opposite ends of the restraining portion, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view, wherein the upper and lower portions have respective upper and lower tapered ends that oppose each other, the tapered ends defining an opening through which the cable is permitted to pass into the peripheral recess when the door is in the second position,

wherein, in the first position, the tapered ends face inwardly toward the base and the restraining portion faces outwardly traversing the portion of the peripheral recess, and

wherein, in the second position, the tapered ends face outwardly so that the portion of the peripheral recess is accessible through the opening defined by the tapered ends faces.

8. The case of claim 7, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion forming the C-shape define an arcuate interior surface of the door, wherein the peripheral recess has an arcuate interior surface substantially corresponding to the arcuate interior surface of the door.

9. The claims of claim 8, wherein the door is a latch that is configured to traverse only a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the winding area.

10. The case of claim 8, wherein the arcuate interior surface of the peripheral recess has a recessed track, and wherein the arcuate interior surface of the door has a rail extending into the recessed track, wherein the rail is moved along the recess track when the door is rotated between the first position and the second position.

11. The case of claim 1, wherein the door has a second restraining portion laterally spaced apart from the first restraining portion, the second restraining portion contacting the peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the recess, the door having an elongated lateral portion connecting the first and second restraining portions together,

wherein the door includes second upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the second restraining portion, wherein the second upper and lower portions and the second restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.

12. The case of claim 1, wherein the base has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side periphery including the side surface, wherein the side periphery defines all sides of the base extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the peripheral recess extends along substantially the entirety of the side periphery.

13. The case of claim 1, wherein the base includes a second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a second cable winding area for receiving the cable.

14. The case of claim 13, wherein the door has a second restraining portion spaced apart from the first restraining portion, the second restraining portion traversing at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position.

15. The case of claim 14, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other, and

wherein the first and second restraining portions extend vertically, wherein the door includes a top portion that extends horizontally from the first restraining portion to the second restraining portion.

16. The case of claim 14, wherein the top surface of the base has an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, and wherein top portion of the door is configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.

17. The case of claim 13, further comprising a second door having a second restraining portion contacting the second peripheral recess of the base and rotatably mounted in the second peripheral recess, the second door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the second restraining portion traverses at least a portion of the peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the second winding area.

18. The case of claim 17, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other.

19. The case of claim 1, wherein the peripheral recess includes an interior surface with an indentation having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an end of the cable, the indentation being configured to secure the end of the cable therein by an interference fit.

20. A case comprising:

a base including a first side surface and a second side surface that faces opposite of the first side surface, the first side surface having a first peripheral recess that forms a first cable winding area for receiving a cable, and the second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a second cable winding area for receiving the cable;

a first door having a restraining portion rotatably mounted on the base, the first door being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion of the first door traverses at least a portion of the first peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the first winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the first peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion of the first door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the first winding area; and

a second door having a restraining portion rotatably mounted on the base, the second door being configured to rotate between a second position in which the restraining portion of the second door traverses at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area, and a second position in which the portion of the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the restraining portion of the second door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the second winding area.

21. The case of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second doors includes upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the restraining portion, wherein the upper and lower portions and the restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.

22. The case of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second doors has an elongated lateral portion and a second restraining portion laterally spaced apart from the first restraining portion and rotatably mounted on the base, the elongated lateral portion connecting the first and second restraining portions together,

the second restraining portion of the first door traversing at least a portion of the first peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the first winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the first peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position,

the second restraining portion of the second door traversing at least a portion of the second peripheral recess for restraining the cable in the second winding area when the door is in the first position, and wherein the second peripheral recess is unobstructed by the second restraining portion when the door is in the second position.

23. The case of claim 22, wherein each of the first and second doors include second upper and lower portions that extends from respective opposite ends of the second restraining portion, wherein the second upper and lower portions and the second restraining portion together form a C-shape in side view.

24. The case of claim 23, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base.

25. The case of claim 24, wherein the elongated lateral portion of each of the first and second doors includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.

26. The case of claim 20, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, and wherein each of the first and second doors includes a top portion extending from the restraining portion, the top portion being configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.

27. The case of claim 20, wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other.

28. A case comprising:

a base including a first side surface and a second side surface that faces opposite of the first side surface, the first side surface having a first peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving a cable, and the second side surface having a second peripheral recess that forms a cable winding area for receiving the cable, wherein each of the first and second peripheral recesses has an arcuate interior surface, and wherein the second side surface faces opposite of the first side surface such that the first and second peripheral recesses face away from each other; and

a door connected to the base by a living hinge, the door having a restraining portion being configured to rotate between a first position in which the restraining portion traverses at least a portion of at least one of the first and second peripheral recesses for restraining the cable in the winding area formed by that peripheral recess, and a second position in which the at least one of the first and second peripheral recesses are unobstructed by the door so that the cable can be wrapped or unwrapped from the winding area of that peripheral recess.

29. The case of claim 28, wherein the base, the door and the living hinge together form a monolithic structure.

30. The case of claim 28, wherein the base includes a top surface having an interior recess for storing an object attachable to the cable and a cable channel extending from the interior recess to a side of the base, the interior recess being separate and distinct from the first and second peripheral recesses.

31. The case of claim 30, wherein the restraining portion of the door includes a top portion configured to cover at least a portion of the interior recess when the door is rotated to the second position.