Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With particular drive
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-10-09
Marcelo, Emmanuel M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With particular drive
C242S405000, C242S405300, C242S588400, C242S588600, C206S395000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299095
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage device for conveniently storing decorative light strands.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Decorative light strands are often used during Christmas and similar holidays for decorating trees, shrubbery and both the interior and exterior of buildings. Such light strands are easily entangled when placed into conventional storage devices such as bags or boxes. Furthermore, the entangled light strands are difficult, if not impossible, for a single user to mount to a tree or other object. The present invention relates to a storage device specifically designed for light strands that allows a user to neatly store one or more strands therein.
A myriad of light strand storage devices exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,339 issued to Dobson relates to a storage receptacle having a cordage member therein. The cordage member has a handle with opposing terminal ends that fit within slots on opposing top edges of the receptacle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,931 issued to White relates to a carrier for Christmas lights including a base and handles on each end thereof whereby Christmas lights may be easily wound onto the carrier. The carrier includes cavities for accommodating electrical plugs associated with light strands.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,491 issued to Lee relates to a holder for light strands including a flat mounting plate having a plurality of mounting elements thereon to which lamps and lamp sockets are secured.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,965 issued to Miller relates to a light storage device constructed from corrugated cardboard. The device includes a vertical core section, a pair of horizontal end sections and a sheath. Lights are wrapped about the core and the sheath is placed thereabout.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,067 issued to McAllister et al. relates to a Christmas light organizer including a frame having two opposing sides with a series of tooth like projections extending outwardly therefrom forming gaps therebetween. A light strand is wrapped back and forth about the base member with the cord fitting into a gap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,619 issued to Garis relates to a light string carrier including a lattice for holding a light string wrapped thereabout and a handle integral with the lattice. A cover having two hinge members is provided to overfit the lattice.
Each of the above described light strand organizers or storage devices require that a strand be manually wrapped or wound about a retainer. The present invention relates to a storage device having a rotating shaft therein about which a light strand may be wound by simply rotating a crank means. Furthermore, the device includes a unique closure means that provides convenient access to the wound strand allowing a single user to gradually unwind the strand while fastening it to a Christmas tree or similar object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage device for decorative light strands. The device comprises a housing having a bottom wall with a rear wall and a pair of side walls vertically extending therefrom. The top and front of the housing is open. Foldably attached to the front edge of the bottom wall is a flap formed of a plurality of independently foldable sections. The leading edge of the flap includes a tongue which may be inserted into a slot between the rear and bottom walls. Rotatably mounted within the housing interior is a shaft which may be rotated with a crank means to wind a light strand therearound. A pair of elastomeric retaining bands are mounted about the shaft, each for retaining a terminal end of the light strand. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage device for light strands that allows a user to conveniently wind the strand about a shaft.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage device for light strands that minimizes entangling thereof.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage device for light strands that includes a housing that can be selectively opened on both the top and front portion to provide more convenient access to the interior thereof.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
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Marcelo Emmanuel M.
Tolar Kenneth L
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