Flexible conduit storage organizer

Abstract

Provided herein is a device which may be mounted to a vertical substrate, and which is useful as a rack for storing flexible conduits, such as wires, cables, hoses and the like in an orderly fashion during their non-use. A device according to the invention comprises a main backbone portion, to which a plurality of fingers are attached. The backbone portion is substantially-linear in a preferred embodiment, and is mounted with its longest length dimension in a vertical orientation. Successive loops of a flexible conduit are looped around successive fingers of the device to provide neat and orderly stowage of otherwise cumbersome conduits. A device according to the invention is especially well-suited for storing garden hoses in garages or residential backyard environments.

1 ) A device useful for the organized storage of flexible conduits, including hoses, wires, and cables, which device comprises: 
 a) a backbone portion, having a longest length dimension, a width dimension, a height dimension, a first end portion, and a second end portion;    b) a plurality of finger portions, each having a length dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a first end portion, and a second end portion,    wherein said finger portions are disposed along the length dimension of said backbone portion, with each of said finger portions being attached at their first end portion to said backbone portion, and wherein said finger portions are oriented such that their length dimensions extend substantially perpendicularly from said backbone portion with respect to the longest length dimension of said backbone portion, wherein one of said finger portions comprises a terminal finger portion, being disposed adjacent to an end portion of said backbone portion, said terminal finger portion including a hook means disposed on its second end portion and wherein said backbone portion further comprises, along its length, a plurality of mounting holes disposed therethrough.    
   
   
       2 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the finger portions comprise a shank portion along their length, said shank portion comprising said width dimension of said finger portions, and wherein the second end portion of at least two of said finger portions have a thickness dimension which is greater than the thickness dimension of said shank portion.  
   
   
       3 ) A device according to  claim 2  wherein the second end portion of all of said finger portions have a thickness dimension which is greater than the thickness dimension of said shank portion.  
   
   
       4 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the second end portions of said finger portions are substantially circular in cross-section.  
   
   
       5 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the backbone portion is radiused in the spaces between said finger portions.  
   
   
       6 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein each of said finger portions in said plurality are substantially evenly spaced with respect to one another along the length dimension of said backbone portion.  
   
   
       7 ) A flexible conduit rack comprising a backbone portion, and a plurality of finger portions, each of said finger portions having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein said finger portions protrude substantially perpendicularly from said backbone portion, said finger portions being disposed along the length of said backbone portion, wherein one of said finger portions is a terminal finger portion which itself comprises a hook means disposed on its second end portion said backbone portion further comprising, along its length, a plurality of mounting holes disposed therethrough.  
   
   
       8 ) A combination comprising a flexible conduit rack according to  claim 7  further comprising a substrate to which said flexible conduit rack is vertically mounted such that said terminal finger portion is disposed at a height elevation that is vertically higher than the remaining finger portions, and further comprising a flexible conduit in a coiled configuration having a plurality of loops, wherein said loops are disposed between said finger portions such that two adjacent loops in said coiled configuration are disposed between two successive finger portions on said rack.  
   
   
       9 ) A flexible conduit rack according to  claim 7  wherein the centerlines of said holes are disposed to be substantially parallel to the length dimensions of said finger portions.  
   
   
       10 ) A flexible conduit rack according to  claim 7  wherein said backbone portion comprises a flat surface that extends along its entire longest length dimension.  
   
   
       11 ) A flexible conduit rack comprising: 
 a) a backbone portion, said backbone portion comprising: 
 i) a longest length dimension;  
 ii) a top side; and  
 iii) a flat bottom side which extends along the entire longest length dimension;  
   b) a plurality of finger portions, wherein each of said finger portions have a first end portion and a second end portion, said finger portions protruding substantially perpendicularly from said top side of said backbone portion, and said finger portions being disposed along the length of said backbone portion,    wherein one of said finger portions is a terminal finger portion which itself comprises a hook means disposed on its second end portion    
   
   
       12 ) A flexible conduit rack according to  claim 11  wherein said backbone portion further comprises, along its length, a plurality of mounting holes disposed therethrough.