Device for retaining and supporting flexible elongated bodies

This application is related to and claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/979,597 filed on Oct. 12, 2008.

The present invention relates, in general, to flexible tube, cable or cord supports and, more particularly, this invention relates to such support having a pair of inwardly curved and resilient legs.

As is generally well known, electric cords, electric extension cords, wires and flexible tubes are used extensively in industrial and residential environments. It is further well known that special care must be taken in routing and positioning such flexible elongated bodies. A particular problem is associated with use of electric cords and extension cords to connect a device positioned remotely to an electrical outlet. In residential environments, many electric cords and extension cords can make the room look unkempt because the eyes will focus on the cords rather than on something else. Thus, many prefer to route these cords under rugs and carpeting in order to hide them from direct view. However, such routing leads to premature wear of cords as well as to a greater risk of fire. Electric cords that are not tucked behind something or stabilized in some manner could trip people, especially rambunctious youngsters, potentially causing injuries. Pets may also become tangled in the cords, especially when left alone. A similar problem is associated with use of surround stereo system requiring mounting of various speakers remotely from the base unit with the subsequent electrical connection thereto.

Furthermore, having multiple electrical cords joined together through extension cords can cause a person unnecessary wasted effort at a later time. If a person wants to unplug a television, but the television, radio, telephone, gaming system and computer are all plugged in together, it may take greater than desired time to figure out which cord is connected to a specific device. Thus, the person using a computer may also lose valuable information if the wrong plug is pulled, causing unnecessary aggravation and frustration.

Prior to the conception and design of the present invention efforts have been made to alleviate difficulties associated with routing such flexible elongated bodies. U.S. Pat. No. 2,292,140 issued to Lorfgren, U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,257 issued to Elm, U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,960 issued to Tanaka, U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,860 issued to Osterlind, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,500 issued to Jacobs et al. and U.S. Pat. No. D265,381 issued to Borja disclose various devices for supporting, anchoring or retaining such elongated bodies.

However, there is remaining a need for an expensive and simple to use device capable of at least one of supporting, anchoring holding or retaining elongated bodies, particularly of a flexible type and, more particularly, in a semi-permanent or temporary manner.

In one aspect, the invention provides a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring holding or retaining elongated bodies. The device includes at list one clip formed from a predetermined resilient material having memory. The at least one clip includes a base. The base has a predetermined shape. A first leg is provided and has an inwardly facing first concave inner surface. A second leg is also provided and has an inwardly facing second concave inner surface. There is a generally round elongated body receiving opening centrally formed by a combination of the first and second concave inner surfaces. An access slot is formed in substantial alignment with the elongated body receiving opening by a terminal end of the first leg being spaced a predetermined distance from a terminal end of the second leg in a normal operating position. Each terminal end is adapted for outward movement during insertion of such elongated bodies into the generally round elongated body receiving opening and removal of such elongated bodies therefrom. The size of the elongated body receiving opening is greater than size of the access slot. Finally, means is provided for mounting the at least one clip to at least one of a surface and an object.

In another aspect, the invention provides a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring holding or retaining elongated bodies. The device includes an elongated base member. At list one clip extends from the base member and includes a first leg. The first leg has each of a first outwardly facing convex outer surface, at least one of a tapered and concave transition surface between the first convex surface and the base member, an inwardly facing first concave arcuate inner surface converging toward the outer convex surface at a terminal end of the first leg and diverging from the outer convex surface in a direction toward the base member, and a continuously varying thickness formed by the first inner and outer surfaces, the first leg formed from a predetermined resilient material having memory. There is also a second leg. The second leg has each of a second outwardly facing convex outer surface, at least one of a tapered and concave transition surface between the second convex surface and the base member, a second inwardly facing concave arcuate inner surface converging toward the outer convex surface at a terminal end of the second leg and diverging from the outer convex surface in a direction toward the base member, and a continuously varying thickness formed by the second inner and outer surfaces, the second leg formed from the predetermined resilient material having the memory. A generally round elongated body receiving opening is centrally formed by a combination of the first and second concave arcuate inner surfaces. There is also an access slot that is centrally formed in substantial alignment with the elongated body receiving opening by the terminal end of the first leg being spaced a predetermined distance from the terminal end of the second leg in a normal operating position. Each terminal end is adapted for outward movement during insertion of such elongated bodies into the generally round elongated body receiving opening and removal of such elongated bodies therefrom. The size of the elongated body receiving opening is greater than size of the access slot. Means is also provided for mounting the device to at least one of a surface and an object. Such means being at least one of pair of apertures formed through the base member, slot formed through the device and member disposed on an exposed surface of the base member.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring holding or retaining elongated bodies. The device includes a base. A first clip extends from the base. A second clip also extends from the base along a common axis in a direction opposite to a direction of the first clip. Each clip includes a first leg having an inwardly facing first concave inner surface, a second leg having an inwardly facing second concave inner surface, a generally round elongated body receiving opening centrally formed by a combination of the first and second concave inner surfaces, and an access slot formed in substantial alignment with the elongated body receiving opening by a terminal end of the first leg being spaced a predetermined distance from a terminal end of the second leg in a normal operating position. Each terminal end is adapted for outward movement during insertion of such elongated bodies into the generally round elongated body receiving opening and removal of such elongated bodies therefrom. The size of the elongated body receiving opening is greater than size of the access slot.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring, holding or retaining elongated bodies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring, holding or retaining elongated bodies that can be attached to a variety of surfaces and objects.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring, holding or retaining elongated bodies that can be attached in a semi-permanent, permanent or temporary manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for at least one of supporting, anchoring, holding or retaining elongated bodies that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide device for at least one of supporting, anchoring, holding or retaining elongated bodies that is simple to use.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.