Cord storage device

Abstract

A cord storage device for winding and storing a cord is provided. The storage device has a main body, a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm. The main body has a bore extending therethrough from the first end to the second end, and a longitudinal slit adjacent the bore to provide access to the bore for inserting the cord. The first pivot arm is pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end and the second pivot arm is pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end. The pivot arms pivot between a first stop position generally linear with the main body and a second stop position at an angle to the main body. The first and second pivot arms pivot away from the main body in opposite directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cord storage device comprising:
 a longitudinally extending main body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, a bore extending through the longitudinally extending main body from the first end to the second end to create a sidewall between the bore and the outer surface, a longitudinal slit extending through the sidewall from the outer surface to the bore, the slit extending from the first end of the main body to the second end of the main body;   a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end of the main body, the first pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body, and wherein at least a portion of the first pivot arm can subsequently pivot angularly past the second stop position upon manipulation of the cord storage device; and,   a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end of the main body, the second pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body, and wherein the second pivot arm is prevented from pivoting angularly past the second stop position at all times.   
     
     
         2 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a slide lock connected to the longitudinally extending main body of the cord storage device and axially moveable on the longitudinally extending main body between a lock position and an unlock position, the slide lock having a tab that engages the first pivot arm when the slide lock is in the lock position to prevent the first pivot arm from pivoting beyond the second stop position. 
     
     
         3 . The cord storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the slide lock has a longitudinal slot extending through a sidewall of the slide lock. 
     
     
         4 . The cord storage device of  claim 3 , wherein the slide lock is also rotatable about the outer surface of the longitudinally extending main body. 
     
     
         5 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivot arm has a first lower edge, wherein the second pivot arm has a second lower edge, wherein the first lower edge of the first pivot arm is positioned a first distance from a pivot point of the first pivot arm, wherein the second lower edge of the second pivot arm is positioned a second distance from a pivot point of the second pivot arm, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         6 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end of the main body, and a fourth pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end of the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The cord storage device of  claim 6 , further comprising a slide lock connected to the longitudinally extending main body of the cord storage device and axially moveable on the longitudinally extending main body between a lock and an unlock position, the slide lock engaging the first pivot arm and the third pivot arm in the locked position to prevent the first pivot arm and the third pivot arm from pivoting to a position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body. 
     
     
         8 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm have integral stops to prevent pivoting of the first and second pivot arms, respectively, past the second stop position. 
     
     
         9 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the first pivot arm crosses a vertical axis of the bore of the longitudinally extending main body. 
     
     
         10 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the first pivot arm does not cross a vertical axis of the bore of the longitudinally extending main body. 
     
     
         11 . The cord storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivot arm has a flexible portion to allow a portion of the first pivot arm to be bent. 
     
     
         12 . A cord storage device comprising:
 a longitudinally extending main body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, a bore extending through the longitudinally extending main body from the first end to the second end to create a sidewall between the bore and the outer surface, a longitudinal slit extending through the sidewall from the outer surface to the bore, the slit extending from the first end of the main body to the second end of the main body;   a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end of the main body, the first pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body; and,   a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end of the main body, the second pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body, and wherein the second pivot arm is prevented from pivoting angularly past the second stop position at all times.   
     
     
         13 . The cord storage device of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the first pivot arm can subsequently pivot angularly past the second stop position upon manipulation of the cord storage device. 
     
     
         14 . The cord storage device of  claim 12 , further comprising a slide lock connected to the longitudinally extending main body of the cord storage device and axially moveable on the longitudinally extending main body between a lock position and an unlock position, the slide lock having a tab that engages the first pivot arm when the slide lock is in the lock position to prevent the first pivot arm from pivoting beyond the second stop position. 
     
     
         15 . The cord storage device of  claim 12 , wherein the first pivot arm has a flexible portion to allow a portion of the first pivot arm to be bent. 
     
     
         16 . The cord storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the second pivot arm has a flexible portion to allow a portion of the second pivot arm to be bent. 
     
     
         17 . A cord storage device comprising:
 a longitudinally extending main body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, a bore extending through the longitudinally extending main body from the first end to the second end to create a sidewall between the bore and the outer surface, a longitudinal slit extending through the sidewall from the outer surface to the bore, the slit extending from the first end of the main body to the second end of the main body;   a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end of the main body, the first pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body;   a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end of the main body, the second pivot arm pivoting between a first stop position generally linear with the longitudinally extending main body and a second stop position at an angle to the longitudinally extending main body, and wherein the second pivot arm is prevented from pivoting angularly past the second stop position at all times; and,   wherein the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm have integral stops to prevent pivoting of the first and second pivot arms, respectively, past the second stop position.   
     
     
         18 . The cord storage device of  claim 17 , further comprising a slide lock connected to the longitudinally extending main body of the cord storage device and axially moveable on the longitudinally extending main body between a lock position and an unlock position, the slide lock having a tab that engages the first pivot arm when the slide lock is in the lock position to prevent the first pivot arm from pivoting beyond the second stop position. 
     
     
         19 . The cord storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the first pivot arm has a flexible portion to allow a portion of the first pivot arm to be bent. 
     
     
         20 . The cord storage device of  claim 17 , further comprising a third pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the first end of the main body, and a fourth pivot arm pivotally connected to the main body adjacent the second end of the main body.