Systems And Methods For Electrical Cord Storage
Patent No. US11820626 (titled "Systems And Methods For Electrical Cord Storage") was filed by Happy Hour Thinking Llc on May 6, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’626 is related to the field of electrical cord management for small appliances. Many appliances are used infrequently, leading to tangled and unsightly cords when stored. Existing solutions, such as wrapping cords around the appliance itself, are often inconvenient or can damage the appliance. The patent addresses the need for a simple, integrated solution for storing appliance cords when not in use.
The underlying idea behind ’626 is to provide a small, easily attachable device that allows users to neatly wind and store the electrical cord of an appliance. This is achieved by a design featuring a base that adheres to the appliance, a central post for winding the cord , and a dome-shaped top that helps retain the cord and prevent it from unwinding.
The claims of ’626 focus on an electrical cord storage device that includes a base for attachment to an appliance, a post extending from the base for winding the cord, and a dome affixed to the post. A key feature highlighted in the independent claims is a scalloped perimeter on the dome , designed with grooves to catch and hold the cord, preventing it from unintentionally unwinding.
In practice, the user attaches the device to the appliance using an adhesive or other affixation method. The electrical cord is then wound around the central post, and the end of the cord is secured by the scalloped perimeter of the dome. The dome's curvature helps to keep the cord in place, while the scalloped edges provide additional grip and prevent slippage. The device can be manufactured as a single piece or assembled from multiple components.
The design differentiates itself from prior art by providing an integrated, appliance-specific cord storage solution. Unlike generic cord wraps or ties, this device is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the appliance, ensuring that the cord is always neatly stored when not in use. The dome and scalloped edge are key features that improve cord retention and prevent the common problem of cords unwinding during storage.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’626 was filed, electrical appliances commonly included external power cords, and at a time when cord management was typically implemented using physical means such as wrapping or clipping, when hardware or software constraints made integrated, retractable cord storage non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 35 U.S.C. 103. Claims 9-10 were withdrawn from consideration. The election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 4/11/23. The prosecution record does NOT describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 11, and 16. The independent claims are directed to an electrical cord storage device and a method for storing an electrical cord on an appliance. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, materials, and methods of use related to the electrical cord storage device.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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US11820626
- Application Number
- US16868477
- Filing Date
- May 6, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Feb 3, 2042
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents