Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With particular frame or frame carrier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-01-09
Rivera, William (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With particular frame or frame carrier
C242S405300, C242S379200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170775
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an electrical extension cord reel. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatically retracting cord reel configured specifically for use with small appliances, electrical tools and the like which reel can be mounted for use in a specific location and easily removed from its mounting place and used remotely.
Take-up reels for managing the use and storage of electrical extension cords are known. Such reels consist basically of a spool rotatably affixed to a structural component whereby the spool is manually or automatically rotated to wind an extension cord thereabout. Typically, such automatic reels employ a variety of spring and ratchet mechanisms for maintaining the cord in the extended position and rewinding the cord onto the spool when it is no longer needed. Such reels are particularly useful in industrial or commercial settings such as automobile repair shops, machine shops, carpentry shops and construction sites. They permit workers to readily access electrical power as needed for the operation of portable electric tools, test devices, and trouble lights at various locations remote from an existing power outlet. In addition, the use of extension cord reels makes it possible to use only pigtails, short electrical cords, on the various electrical tools and devices thereby simplifying the movement and storage of the electrical tools and devices themselves.
While exterior designs may vary, retracting electric cord reels basically comprise a spool mounted on a shaft supported for rotation on a bracket or housing, a cooperating ratchet and pawl to arrest the rotation of the spool when the cord has been paid out to a desired length, a spring for rotating the spool in a direction to rewind the cord when the ratchet and pawl are disengaged and an electrical power input means including a commutator connected between a male plug extending from the housing and the extension cord wound on the spool. Such devices are shown, for example, in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,619,518; 3,715,526; and 3,808,382.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a retracting extension cord reel assembly configured specifically for use with small electrical appliances and tools.
The reel assembly according to the present invention includes a mounting bracket for attaching the reel to a mounting surface for use in a fixed location. A housing bracket is removably and pivotally attached to the mounting bracket and a cord reel housing is integral to the housing bracket. The housing can be pivoted between positions adjacent the mounting surface for storage when not in use and an extended position for use. The mounting surface typically can be the underside of a wall cabinet, a wall between upper and lower kitchen cabinets, or even inside a cabinet.
The housing bracket is detachable from the mounting bracket and forms a handle for carrying the reel housing to another location. A resettable circuit breaker is incorporated into the housing and connected between the extension cord with a female socket and a pigtail with a male plug.
One object of the invention is to provide a retractable cord reel configured to provide maximum usefulness in the kitchen environment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a retractable cord reel that is configured to be stored out of sight and that can easily be moved to a remote location as needed.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a retractable cord reel that can be relocated to other fixed positions or detached and used separately from its mounting bracket.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3619518 (1971-11-01), Blanch et al.
patent: 3715526 (1973-02-01), Blanch et al.
patent: 3808382 (1974-04-01), Blanch et al.
patent: 4282954 (1981-08-01), Hill
patent: 4407460 (1983-10-01), Khudaverdian
patent: 5158450 (1992-10-01), Horita et al.
patent: 5209420 (1993-05-01), Simmons et al.
patent: 5934598 (1999-08-01), Kovacik et al.
Blanch Paul S.
Grzywna Stanley E.
Kovacik James D.
Alert Stamping & Mfg. Co., Inc.
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Rivera William
Rivera William A.
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