Modular cord organizer

Abstract

A modular cord organizer apparatus for organizing and supporting at least one coiled cord on a mounting surface including at least one modular frame for receiving the coiled cord is provided. The modular frame has an ‘H’ shaped perimeter defining a pair of frame sides a pair of frame ends spaced by the frame sides. The frame ends define a cord receiving recess and a planar sheet extends between the frame ends. A rim extends perpendicularly to the planar sheet of the modular frame. A rack is provided for receiving at least one modular frame and supporting the modular frame on the mounting surface. At least one connection removably attaches one of the frame sides to the rack in a mounting direction generally parallel to the frame sides and includes a coupler having a pair of shaped tabs defining a slot and a channel for receiving the modular frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular cord organizer apparatus for organizing and supporting at least one coiled cord on a mounting surface comprising;
 at least one modular frame ( 20 ) for receiving the coiled cord and having a perimeter ( 22 ) defining a pair of frame sides ( 24 ) and a pair of frame ends ( 26 ) spaced by said frame sides ( 24 ) with each of said frame ends ( 26 ) defining a cord receiving recess ( 28 ),   a rack ( 30 ) for receiving said modular frame ( 20 ) and for supporting said modular frame ( 20 ) on the mounting surface,   and characterized by   at least one connection ( 48 ) for removably attaching one of said frame sides ( 24 ) to said rack ( 30 ) in a mounting direction generally parallel to said frame side ( 24 ).   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said connection ( 48 ) includes a stop ( 50 ) for blocking relative movement between said modular frame ( 20 ) and said rack ( 30 ) along said mounting direction. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said connection ( 48 ) includes a coupler ( 52 ) for slidably receiving said one of said frame sides ( 24 ) and contacting said stop ( 50 ). 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said connection ( 48 ) includes a rim ( 38 ) extending along one of said frame sides ( 24 ) from said stop ( 50 ) to a first rim end ( 40 ) for engaging said coupler ( 52 ) and preventing rotation of said modular frame ( 20 ) relative to said coupler ( 52 ). 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said coupler ( 52 ) includes a pair of tabs ( 54 ) defining a channel ( 58 ) therebetween for receiving said rim ( 38 ) extending from said stop ( 50 ) to said first rim end ( 40 ). 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said a rim ( 38 ) extends along a major portion of said perimeter ( 22 ) from said first rim end ( 40 ) past said stop ( 50 ) to a second rim end ( 42 ) with each of said rim ends ( 40 ,  42 ) spaced from one another along one of said frame sides ( 24 ). 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said modular frame ( 20 ) includes a planar sheet ( 34 ) extending perpendicularly to said rim ( 38 ). 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said tabs ( 54 ) engage said planar sheet ( 34 ) for preventing said rotation of said modular frame ( 20 ). 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said modular frame ( 20 ) includes a rimless portion ( 44 ) spaced between said first rim end ( 40 ) and said second rim end ( 42 ) and presenting an exposed edge ( 46 ) of said planar sheet ( 34 ). 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said tabs ( 54 ) of said coupler ( 52 ) define a slot ( 56 ) for receiving said exposed edge ( 46 ) of said planar sheet ( 34 ). 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said planar sheet ( 34 ) of said modular frame ( 20 ) extends between said frame ends ( 26 ) and surrounds a central cavity ( 36 ). 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said rack ( 30 ) includes a base plate ( 32 ) for attachment to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said coupler ( 52 ) is disposed on said base plate ( 32 ) for supporting said modular frame ( 20 ) on the mounting surface. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said coupler ( 52 ) includes a gusset ( 60 ) extending between each of said tabs ( 54 ) and said base plate ( 32 ) for reinforcing said tabs ( 54 ). 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said perimeter ( 22 ) of said modular frame ( 20 ) generally defines a ‘H’ shape. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said tabs ( 54 ) of said coupler ( 52 ) generally have a ‘J’ shape. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said rim ( 38 ) includes a break ( 64 ) between said first rim end ( 40 ) and said second rim end ( 42 ) along said major portion of said perimeter ( 22 ) and said planar sheet ( 34 ) defines a hole ( 66 ) extending through said planar sheet ( 34 ) adjacent said break ( 64 ) in said rim ( 38 ) to define a key ring mount ( 62 ). 
     
     
         18 . A modular cord organizer apparatus for organizing and supporting at least one coiled cord on a mounting surface comprising;
 at least one modular frame ( 20 ) for receiving the coiled cord and having a perimeter ( 22 ) generally defining a ‘H’ shape and a pair of frame sides ( 24 ) and a pair of frame ends ( 26 ) spaced by said frame sides ( 24 ) with each of said frame ends ( 26 ) defining a cord receiving recess ( 28 ),   a rack ( 30 ) for receiving said modular frame ( 20 ) and for vertically supporting said modular frame ( 20 ) on the mounting surface and having a base plate ( 32 ) adapted for attachment to the mounting surface,   and characterized by   said modular frame ( 20 ) including a planar sheet ( 34 ) surrounding a central cavity ( 36 ) and extending between said frame ends ( 26 ) and a rim ( 38 ) extending perpendicularly to said planar sheet ( 34 ) and along a major portion of said perimeter ( 22 ) of said modular frame ( 20 ) from a first end to a second end with each of said rim ends ( 40 ,  42 ) spaced from one another along one of said frame sides ( 24 ) to define a rimless portion ( 44 ) presenting an exposed edge ( 46 ) of said planar sheet ( 34 ) and said rim ( 38 ) includes a break ( 64 ) between said first rim end ( 40 ) and said second rim end ( 42 ) along said major portion of said perimeter ( 22 ) and said planar sheet ( 34 ) defines a hole ( 66 ) extending through said planar sheet ( 34 ) adjacent said break ( 64 ) in said rim ( 38 ) to define a key ring mount ( 62 ), and   at least one connection ( 48 ) for removably attaching one of said frame sides ( 24 ) to said rack ( 30 ) in a mounting direction generally parallel to said frame side ( 24 ) including a stop ( 50 ) extending perpendicularly from said planar sheet ( 34 ) for blocking relative movement between said modular frame ( 20 ) and said rack ( 30 ) along said mounting direction and a coupler ( 52 ) disposed on said base plate ( 32 ) for slidably receiving one of said frame sides ( 24 ) and contacting said stop ( 50 ) and including a pair of tabs ( 54 ) generally having a ‘J’ shape and defining a slot ( 56 ) engaging said exposed edge ( 46 ) of said planar sheet ( 34 ) for preventing rotation of said modular frame ( 20 ) relative to said coupler ( 52 ) and a channel ( 58 ) spaced between said tabs ( 54 ) for receiving said rim ( 38 ) extending from said stop ( 50 ) to said first rim end ( 40 ) and a gusset ( 60 ) extending between each of said tabs ( 54 ) and said base plate ( 32 ) for reinforcing said tabs ( 54 ).