Cord Storage Assembly

Abstract

A cord storage assembly for retracting an electrical cord when the electrical cord is not in use includes a spool that is movably coupled to an article of medical equipment. A motor is coupled to the spool. The motor moves the spool. An actuator is coupled to the article of medical equipment. The actuator is operationally coupled to the motor. The actuator actuates the motor. The electrical cord is coupled to the spool. The electrical cord extends outwardly from the article of medical equipment. The spool releases the electrical cord so the electrical cord is extendable away from the article of medical equipment. The spool retracts the electrical cord into the article of medical equipment. The electrical cord does not pose a tripping hazard when the article of medical equipment is not in use.

1 . A cord storage assembly for retracting an electrical cord when said electrical cord is not in use, said assembly comprising:
 a spool movably coupled to an article of medical equipment;   a motor coupled to said spool such that said motor moves said spool;   an actuator coupled to the article of medical equipment, said actuator being operationally coupled to said motor such that said actuator actuates said motor;   said electrical cord being coupled to said spool, said electrical cord extending outwardly from the article of medical equipment;   said spool releasing said electrical cord such that said electrical cord is extendable away from the article of medical equipment; and   said spool retracting said electrical cord into the article of medical equipment such that said electrical cord does not pose a tripping hazard when the article of medical equipment is not in use.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said spool having an outer surface extending between each of a first end and a second end of said spool, said outer surface of said spool being curvilinear such that said spool has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said spool being rotatably coupled to the article of medical equipment such that said spool is positioned within an interior of the article of medical equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said motor being coupled to a first end of said spool such that said motor rotates said spool in a dispensing direction and a retracting direction. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said motor being electrically coupled to a power supply in the article of medical equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said electrical cord having a coupled end and a free end, said coupled end of said electrical cord being coupled to an outer surface of said spool. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said electrical cord being wrapped around said spool when said motor rotates said spool in a retracting direction such that a free end of said electrical cord is positioned proximate the article of medical equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said electrical cord being released from said spool when said motor rotates said spool in a dispensing direction such that a free end of said electrical cord is positionable a distance away from the article of medical equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said actuator being coupled to a front side of the article of medical equipment. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising said actuator being electrically coupled to said motor. 
     
     
         11 . A cord storage assembly for retracting an electrical cord when said electrical cord is not in use, said assembly comprising:
 a spool having an outer surface extending between each of a first end and a second end of said spool, said outer surface of said spool being curvilinear such that said spool has a cylindrical shape, said spool being rotatably coupled to the article of medical equipment such that said spool is positioned within an interior of the article of medical equipment;   a motor coupled to said first end of said spool such that said motor rotates said spool in a dispensing direction and a retracting direction, said motor being electrically coupled to a power supply in the article of medical equipment;   an actuator coupled to a front side of the article of medical equipment, said actuator being electrically coupled to said motor such that said actuator actuates said motor;   an electrical cord having a coupled end and a free end, said coupled end of said electrical cord being coupled to said outer surface of said spool such that said electrical cord extends outwardly from the article of medical equipment;   said electrical cord being wrapped around said spool when said motor rotates said spool in a retracting direction having said free end of said electrical cord being positioned proximate the article of medical equipment such that said electrical cord does not pose a tripping hazard when the article of medical equipment is not in use; and   said electrical cord being released from said spool when said motor rotates said spool in a dispensing direction such that said free end of said electrical cord is positionable a distance away from the article of medical equipment.   
     
     
         12 . A method of storing said electrical cord in the article of medical equipment, the steps of the method comprising:
 a step of providing said spool rotatably coupled to the article of medical equipment, said motor coupled to said spool, said actuator electrically coupled to said motor and said electrical cord having said coupled end and said free end;   a step of actuating said actuator having said motor rotating said spool in a dispensing direction such that said free end of said electrical cord is positionable a distance away from the article of medical equipment; and   a step of actuating said actuator having said motor rotating said spool in a retracting direction such that said electrical cord is wrapped around said spool, said free end of said electrical cord being positioned proximate the article of medical equipment.