WO1998025329B1 - Method of storing bundled items - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of storing bundled items such as electrical cords or cables (12) is provided by using a handcuff-like element (10) having jaws (14, 16) that self-sustain an open position while the bundled item (12) is inserted therein and which traverse a fixed path or trajectory to close on the bundled item (12) to store same.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 30 June 1998 (30.06.98); original claims 1 and 8 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)] A method of storing a bundle comprising

bundling at least one item such that the width of the bundle is

substantially greater than the width of any one item in the bundle,

providing a pair of generally rigid jaw members each having a

hinge end and an attachment end. each jaw member including an inner

retaining surface and an outer press surface extending between the ends

of the jaw member, the jaw members being connected together at their

hinge ends, such that the jaw members 0) have a first, self-sustaining

open position in which the attachment ends are spaced well apart to

define a bundle-receiving space and the inner retaining surfaces are

generally not facing one another whereby the bundle may pass into and

between the jaw members without requiring external pressure to

maintain the jaw members in the open position, (n) have a plurality of

second, closed positions in which the attachment ends are engaged and

the inner retaining surfaces are in confronting relationship and (in) are

self-aligned such that the attachment ends automatically engage

together upon applying pressure on the outer press surfaces.

placing the jaw members into the open position,

passing the bundle through the bundle-receiving space in the

open position, and

placing the jaw members into one of the plurality of closed

positions with the bundle therein by applying pressure on the outer press surfaces of the jaw members until the inner retaining surfaces

grasp against the bundle -19-

a plurality of second, closed positions in which the attachment ends are

engaged and the inner retaining surfaces are in confronting relationship, and

(iii) jaws are self-aligned such that the attachment ends automatically engage

together upon applying pressure on the outer press surfaces, the method

comprising:

bundling at least one item such that the width of the bundle is

substantially greater than the width of any one item in the bundle;

placing the jaws of the handcuff-like element into the open

position whereby that position is sustained without requiring external

pressure to the jaws;

passing the bundle through a space defined between the

attachment ends in the open position of the handcuff-like element; and

placing the handcuff-like element into one of the plurality of

closed positions with the bundle therein by applying pressure on the

outer press surfaces of the jaws until the inner retaining surfaces grasp against the bundle.

9 The method of claim 8 including bundling only one item.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the item is an electric cord and bundling

the item includes wrapping the cord back and forth along itself a plurality of

times to form said bundle.

1 1 The method of claim 8 including bundling a plurality of items.