Guide for coiling lengths of non-rigid material

Abstract

A guide to coil a length of material can have a plurality of segments in a sequence, where each segment includes a passage to partially contain the length of material and opposing ends. A plurality of flexible links/connecting devices joins each of the plurality segments. Further, a slope is disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment. The guide can have an uncoiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other. Also it can have a fully coiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A guide to coil a length of material, comprising:
 a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises:
 a passage to partially contain the length of material; and 
 opposing ends; 
   at least one connecting device linking each of the plurality segments; and   a slope disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment.   
     
     
         2 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises:
 an uncoiled state wherein the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other; and   a fully coiled state wherein the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other.   
     
     
         3 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the passage allows the length of material to freely move within the passage. 
     
     
         4 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments further comprise:
 a gap permitting the length of material to enter and exit the passage.   
     
     
         5 . The guide of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stay removably disposed to prevent movement of the length of material relative to the passage.   
     
     
         6 . The guide of  claim 5 , wherein the stay is disposed on at least one of the length of material, a line disposed along the plurality of the segments, and one of the plurality of segments. 
     
     
         7 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a plurality of flexible links. 
     
     
         8 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the slope on any one segment is equal to the slope on another segment. 
     
     
         9 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the slope on any one segment is unequal to the slope on another segment. 
     
     
         10 . The guide of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises:
 a line disposed along the plurality of segments,   wherein applying a tension to the line moves the ends into contact.   
     
     
         11 . A method of coiling a length of material, comprising the step of:
 disposing a guide on the length of material having a plurality of sequential segments interconnected by a connecting device;   providing a slope on an end of more than one of the plurality of segments;   displacing the guide along the length of the material until the slopes of the sequential segments come into contact; and   coiling the length of material based on the displacing step.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 returning the sequential segments to a position where the slopes are not in contact; and   uncoiling the length of material based on the returning step.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the disposing step comprises:
 passing the length of material through a gap in the plurality of segments.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 after the coiling step, preventing movement of the guide relative to the length of material.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting device comprises a line along the plurality of segments,
 wherein the displacing step comprises the step of tensioning the line.   
     
     
         16 . A self-coiling device, comprising:
 a length of material   a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises:
 a passage partially containing the length of material; 
 a long side; 
 a short side opposite the long side; and 
 a slope formed from a difference in length between the long side and the short side; and 
   a plurality of connecting devices joining each of the plurality segments;   wherein the slope of each of the plurality of segments is configured to contact the slope of a sequential segment.   
     
     
         17 . The self coiling device of  claim 16 , wherein the connecting devices comprise flexible links joining the plurality of segments along the long sides. 
     
     
         18 . The self coiling device of  claim 16 , wherein the connecting devices comprise:
 a line disposed along the plurality of segments,   wherein applying a tension to the line moves the slopes into contact.