Go to next invention (So Who Needs Ears?)
Return to Free Invention List  
Home

 

IMPORTANT: My inventions are free for anyone or any company to exploit in any way they wish as long as my name is displayed as the original inventor in all printed or media material. The ideas may or may not be practical, they have not been checked for prior art, and they have not been assessed for safe use. These things must be the responsibility of those wishing to exploit them. For more check Free Inventions and Why this website?. The patent has expired for this invention.

 

TANGLE FREE CORD HOLDER
 Bob Brown

Does there exist a warm soul anywhere who is so easy-going, so calm, so self-controlled, that they don’t loose it when struggling with a tangled extension cord? If you are such a rarity, read no further, this is not for you. Everyone else continue.

All of the following objectives are met with this invention:

  • Tangles not allowed

  • Easy to rewind

  • Portable

  • May pull off all or part of cord

  • Permits use of several lengths in series.

  • Not necessary to return to starting place to plug in cord.

  • May remain plugged in at all times

  • Safe from electrical shock

  • Compact for storage

  • Hangs on wall or pegboard

  • Inexpensive

  • Simple construction

  • Simple to manufacture

 

HOW TO USE

Lay cord out and remove all existing tangles. A few feet from the plug attach the cord to center of holder. Grasp cord holder as shown in Fig. 1 and wind in a figure-eight fashion. This avoids accumulated twist and prevents nesting of loops.


Fig. 1


Fig. 2.

It is advisable to loop cord around a fixed object close to the plug to prevent it from being pulled out. Plug in cord, lay on flat surface, and pull off the desired length as shown in Fig. 2. Keep holder clear from other objects so that it can pivot freely as the cord is pulled off. When finished, rewind as before.

When wound in a figure-eight fashion, the cord will never twist or tangle. This remains true even if the holder latch is released and the cord is dumped in a heap on the floor. For long lengths, more than one holder can be plugged in series.

MANUFACTURE

Prototype models were made out of plywood using metal pins for a hinge in the center of the holder. These work fine but require a lot of sawing. Two views of a homemade plastic holder are shown in Fig. 3. A suggested design for mass production is shown in Fig. 4. This holder may be constructed from only one piece of plastic. All designs should meet the following criteria:

  • Two projecting prongs for winding the cord in a "figure-eight" fashion. Each prong should angle outward slightly so that the cord can always be pressed inward to relieve tension.

  • A means for attaching the cord in the middle between prongs so that the proper pivoting motions can occur.

  • A hinge or other means for releasing the entire length of cord when desired.

  • The holder should be a good electrical insulator.

 


Fig. 3.


Fig.4.

Comment

Go to next invention (So Who Needs Ears?)
Return to Free Invention List