Electrical cord holding apparatus

Abstract

An extension cord belt clip is disclosed as an example of the present invention. The belt clip is simply constructed, inexpensive and very easy to use. The belt clip allows a cord to be made slack between a user and a tool to which the cord is connected, thereby prevents damage should the cord be inadvertently stretched to its full length during use. The belt clip is a one piece part having a rectangular back portion, a smaller rectangular front portion connected to the upper section of the back portion so as to flex in use, and an “S” shaped clip portion connected to the lower section of the front portion so as to also flex in use. The clip portion includes a cam follower surface for the cord to bear against when connecting the cord to the belt clip, and a support region between the clip portion and the front portion so that the cord is restrained during use.

1 . A line holding apparatus comprising: 
 a base portion having upper and lower sections, said base portion adapted to be positioned on one side of material worn by a user;    a flap portion connected to said upper section of said base portion and extending generally parallel to said base portion but spaced away therefrom, said flap portion having an upper section and a lower section and said flap portion adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the material from said base portion; and    a clip portion connected to said flap portion, said clip portion having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section of said clip portion forming with said flap portion a region for supporting and restraining a line, said clip being able to flex away from said flap portion in response to the insertion of a line into said region.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said upper section of said clip portion includes a cam follower surface.  
 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said lower section of said base portion includes a shoulder for restraining said holding apparatus when said holding apparatus is mounted on material.  
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said clip portion is connected to said lower section of said flap portion.  
 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said flap portion is flexibly connected to said base portion.  
 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said base portion includes a lateral direction; and  
 said base portion is curved in said lateral direction.  
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said flap portion includes a lateral direction; and  
 said flap portion is curved in said lateral direction.  
 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said upper section of said clip portion includes a cam follower surface;  
 said clip portion is connected to said lower section of said flap portion; and  
 said flap portion is flexibly connected to said base portion.  
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein: 
 said lower section of said base portion includes a shoulder for restraining said holding apparatus when said holding apparatus is mounted on material;  
 said base and flap portions include a lateral direction;  
 said base portion is curved in said lateral direction; and  
 said flap portion is curved in said lateral direction.  
 
     
     
         10 . A line holding apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
 a back portion designed to be supported by material worn by a user;    a front portion connected to said back portion so as to flex, said front portion being designed to be positioned on an opposite side of the material; and    a clip portion connected to said flap portion so as to flex, said clip portion having a cam follower surface and forming with said front portion a supporting and restraining region for a line.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein: 
 said back portion comprises a rectangular frame with an open center; and  
 said front portion comprises a rectangular frame with a center opening, said front portion frame being smaller than said back portion frame.  
 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein: 
 said back portion and said front portion are connected along short edges of respective frames.  
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  wherein: 
 said clip portion comprises a bent strip connected at one end to an opposite short edge of said front portion frame.  
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein: 
 said front portion is flexible away from said back portion during mounting of said apparatus on material worn by said user.  
 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein: 
 said clip portion is flexible away from said front portion during line insertion.  
 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein: 
 said front portion is flexible away from said back portion during mounting of said apparatus on material worn by said user; and  
 said clip portion is flexible away from said front portion during line insertion.  
 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein: 
 said back portion and said front portion are curved.