CABLE STORAGE DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to cable storage devices. In one form, the present invention relates to a cable storage device for household video, audio, computer and general multimedia cables.

The disclosure of Australian Provisional Application 2006901711 , filed 3 April 2006, is hereby fully incorporated by reference, for all purposes. BACKGROUND ART

Eiectrical cables including television cables, video cables, hi-fi cables, computer cables and telephone cables often present an unsightly appearance.

This is especially the case when the cables extend from distant sockets to the equipment, to which they are connected, and kink and bend in an unorganised and unsightly manner.

When existing TV and home theatre type electrical arrangements are updated or when multi access television systems are installed there is a usually a concomitant increase in number of cables required to support such systems.

Often a vast number of different cables are required in a concentrated area. The visual display of excess cables contradicts the smart contemporary look of the latest most up to date release of visual display and entertainment devices. In some cases the positioning of the cables and their connections is particularly unsafe, especially when exposed to potential spills and other hazards.

A related problem relates to the need to position electrical cabfes outside.

When located outside electrical cables and their connections are often subject to a greater variation in environmental conditions such as dew and precipitation. With Christmas and other periods of celebration, arrays of lights are often placed on display. With ever increasing numbers of households having two or three or more arrays of lights there is a continuing need for improvement in terms of both practicality and safety. Conventional external outlets do not protect power adaptors and transformers because they often come in varying shapes and are large in size.

In addition, with many other permanent appliances such as automatic sprinklers, garden lighting, water feature pumps and pool pumps there is a need for the equipment to be protected from water. Outdoor exhibitions, carnivals and

camping are other areas in which there is often an inherent risk of electrocution and other hazards associated with electricity and water.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cable storage device for electrical cables comprising: an outer arrangement defining an outer periphery; and an inner arrangement defining an inner periphery, the inner arrangement providing an inner structure about which at least one eiectrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries. In arrangements of the invention a person is able to better organise a plurality of cables in a sightlier manner. The improvement extends to the advantageous segregation of data/voice cables and power boards/cables, excessive visible lengths of cable and vulnerable exposed unused outlets on power boards. Particular arrangements provide improved safety by housing both power boards and cables. Advantageously, with preferred arrangements of the invention, there is no need for excessive cable lengths to kink and bend and be visible to the eye.

Preferably the inner structure is shaped to allow a power board having a plurality of sockets to be accommodated within the inner periphery, whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure. This is particularly advantageous because the presence of unsightly power boards can be hidden from view. The power board may have a cable that extends from the storage device into an external power socket.

The inner structure may be shaped to allow a power board having at least four female sockets arranged in series to be accommodated within the inner periphery whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the inner structure. Advantageously a power board having five sockets may be accommodated.

Preferably the outer arrangement includes a base for supporting the device in a horizontal condition and the inner structure is elongate and arranged such that when device is supported in the horizontal condition the power board is horizontally disposed when accommodated within the inner periphery. In one preferred form of the invention the outer arrangement includes a top that is moveable to selectivefy allow a person to wind the at least one cable around the inner structure.

The inner arrangement may include access means for allowing cable wound around the inner arrangement to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery. The access means may comprise slots open at an upper end of the inner arrangement.

The outer arrangement may include access means for allowing cable wound around the inner periphery to extend therefrom, through the outer arrangement, to an external device. The access means of the outer arrangement may be sized for allowing a power socket accessory attached to the at least one electrical cable to pass therethrough.

According to a related aspect of the invention there is provided a cable storage device comprising a housing defining an outer periphery, and a compartment internal to the housing and defining an inner periphery, the compartment providing an outer surface about which at least one electrical cable can be wound so as to be disposed between the inner and outer peripheries.

The compartment may provide a storage area defining the inner periphery, the compartment being able to accommodate a power board, having a plurality of sockets, within the storage are,a whilst the at least one electrical cable is wound around the outer surface of the compartment.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a housing for electrical equipment comprising: a body for enclosing electrical equipment; a first funnel shaped element disposed within the body and positioned for the electrical equipment being accommodated thereabove; and a plurality of drainage channels positioned for carrying away fluid flowing downwardly away from the first funnel shaped element.

The housing may include a second funnel shaped element disposed below the first funnel shaped element, the second funnel shaped element including the plurality of drainage channels.

Preferably the first funnel shape element narrows in a downward direction to a discharge opening and the channels are arranged to direct the water from below the discharge opening to ports in the body for discharge from the housing.

The body may comprises an upper and a lower portion having snap lock means for providing a weather proof seal

Preferred forms of the invention allow power cables and power boards to be safely connected in a specially designed protective box that provides: enough inside space for more than one five way power board; weather protected cable entry points with IP ratings; and condensation limiting processes in the form of resilient surfaces and channels for easy pathway to egress holes.

Other aspects and preferred aspects are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention. For example, in another aspect of the invention there is provided a container having means for stably aligning a plurality of containers stacked one on top of the other.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cable storage device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a conceptual perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 1 , with the cable device accommodating a cable and a power board;

Figures 2b and 2c are perspective views of a variation of the cable storage device shown in Figures 1 and 2 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cable storage device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a conceptual perspective view of the cable storage device shown in Figure 2, with the cable device accommodating a cable and a power board; and

Figure 5 is a conceptual perspective view of a housing according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing being shown accommodating electrical equipment; and Figure 6 is an exploded view of the housing shown in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a cable storage device 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. ^' The cable storage device 10 is able to accommodate a plurality of cables including a cable 12 in a tidy manner. This serves to address the unsightly potentially hazardous grouping of cables around power points and provides for increased protection against dust coliection and liquid spills.

The cable storage device 10 comprises an outer arrangement 14, defining an outer periphery 16, and an inner arrangement 18, defining an inner periphery 20. The inner arrangement 18 provides an inner structure 22 about which a person can physically wind the electrical cable 12 such that the cable is disposed between the inner and outer peripheries 16, 20.

As shown in Figure 2 the inner structure 22 is shaped to allow a powerboard 24 having a plurality of sockets 26 to be accommodated within the inner periphery 20, whilst the cable 12 is wound therearound between the inner and outer peripheries 16, 20. In this embodiment the power board 24 comprises four female sockets 26 arranged in series. The accommodation of the power board 24 is particularly advantageous as previously such power boards have

been in clear view, so as to provide an untidy appearance. Other embodiments allow for up to five female sockets to be accommodated.

In the cable storage device 10 the inner structure 22 includes access means 28 which allows the cable 12, when wound around the inner structure 22 to extend therefrom, into the inner periphery. Furthermore the outer arrangement 14 includes access means 30 for allowing the cable 12, when wound around the inner structure 22, to extend therefrom, through the outer arrangement 14, to an external device (not shown).

With the arrangement the access means 28 comprises four slots 32 spaced at 90 degree intervals along an upper portion 34 of the inner structure 22.

The access means 30 of the outer arrangement 14 similarly comprises slots 36 arranged at corresponding 90 degree intervals along an upper portion 38 of the outer arrangement 14.

The outer arrangement 14, in this embodiment, comprises a solid cylindrical wali 39 having a bottom 41 and a top 43. The top 43 comprises a removable planar circular sheet of material that is movable to selectively allow a person to wind the cable 12 around the inner structure 22 and remove the cable therefrom. Although not shown, the top 43 in the present embodiment is secured to the top of the cylindrical wall 39 with a snap lock configuration. Other methods of attachment of the top 43 to the cylindrical wall 39 would be plainly apparent.

For example the top 43 and the cylindrical wall 39 may include mating threaded or cooperating hinge portions.

In this embodiment both the outer arrangement 14 and the inner arrangement 18 are made of fire retardant material. Furthermore the top 43 advantageously snap locks into position to seal the storage device 10 and complete the cable segregation process. The outer arrangement 14 provides a housing 48 that serves to protect the cable 12 wound around the inner structure 22.

. The cabie storage device 10 is used in the following manner. The device 10 is opened by snap releasing the top 43 to an open position in which the inner structure 22 is accessible. The cable 12 is plugged, at end 50, into a communication socket. The other end 54 of the cable 12 is then wound around the inner structure 22 in a manner whereby respective portions of the cable 12

pass through a slot 56 and a slot 58 of the outer arrangement 14 ready to be inserted into a communication peripheral. The slots 56, 58 are sized to receive respective portions of the cable 12 but not communications plug 60. The winding process is achieved by having the slots 56, 58 open outwardly along the upper portion 36 of the outer arrangement 14. Following this the top 43 is snapped locked into position.

Thus it wifl be seen that the first embodiment provides a unique solution to the problem of unsightly and dangerous cables around, power sockets, telephone lines, data service lines and so on. If desired the embodiment allows for the power board 24 to be accommodated in the region bounded by the inner periphery 20 of the inner structure 22. This is particularly advantageous. Furthermore the cable storage device 10 includes four projections 37 extending from the top 43. The projections 37 are sized and shaped to fit within a circular recess 42 in the bottom 48 of another device 10. The projections 37 and recess 42 form means for stably stacking and aligning a plurality of the containers 10 placed one on top of the other.

The embodiment accordingly allows a person to carefully wind any excess lengths of cable (voice/data) in between the inner structure 22 and the outer arrangement 14 using the slots 32, 36 for cable entry and exit. One or more power boards 24 can be placed in the inner structure 22 and the trailing power lead thereof fed through an allocated slot. Any excess length of power cable can be placed with the inner structure 22. With the sealing arrangement electrical power boards and cables are protected from dust and accidental spills. Referring to Figures 2b and 2c there is shown a variation of the cable storage device 10. The variation comprises a cable storage device 63 having a top- portion 63' and a bottom portion 63".

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment comprises a cable storage device 64 that is especially configured to receive a powerboard 66 having four female sockets 68 arranged in series. The device 64 includes an outer arrangement 70 and an inner arrangement 72. The. inner arrangement includes an inner structure 74 that is shaped in the form of an elongate octagon providing an elongate

internal periphery 76. With the use of the device 64 a person is able to readily segregate power boards/cables and TV/ancillary cables connected to TV, video and hi-fi equipment.

The device 64 is made from fire resistant plastic and is rectangular in shape. The inner structure 74 provides a slotted centre octagonal compartment

78 and both the inner structure 74 and the outer arrangement 70 are closed with a common lid 80. The inner octagonal compartment has six slots 82. A first slot

84 of the slots 82 and a second slot 86 are shaped to allow conventional power electricity plugs 88 to pass therethrough. This allows for a plurality of cables to extend through each of the slots 84, 86. The shape of the slot 84 and the slot 86 resembles an inverted loliypop, open at the narrow end thereof.

The outer arrangement 70 includes a base 90 and the inner structure 74 is configured such that when device 64 is supported in a normal condition, with the base 90 on the ground, the power board 66 will be horizontally disposed. Referring to Figure 5 and 6 there is shown a housing 92 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The housing 92 encloses electrical equipment 94 within a body 96. The electrical equipment 94 powers a set of lights 97.

The body 96 comprises a top 98 and a base 100. Within the body 96 there is a first funnel shaped element 102 that is positioned below the electrical equipment 94. There are a plurality of drainage channels 104 that are positioned to carry away fluid flowing downwardly away from the first funnel shaped element

102.

A second funnel shaped element 106 is disposed below the first funnel shaped element 102. The second funnel shaped element includes the plurality of drainage channels 104.

As is shown in the Figures the first funnel shape element 102 narrows in a downward . direction to a discharge opening 108 and the channels 104 are arranged to direct the water from below the discharge opening 108 to a plurality of ports 110 in the body 96 for discharge from the housing 92.

The bottom 100 has up to four cable snap lock box glands 112, four cable entry points 114and twelve ports 110. In the second funnel shaped element 106 there are twelve channels 104 that provide the exit paths for moisture. The first

funnel shaped element 102 is constructed like a funnel skeletal like web 116. Its purpose is to support power cables/boards and provide a clear passage for moisture to hit the lower funnel shaped element 106. The top 98 is positioned above the first funnel shaped element 106 and with four hinged clip locks 118 provides a pressure seal to maintain a weather proof housing.

Referring to Figure 5 it can be seen that the housing 92 accommodates electrical equipment in the form a power cord 120 of a power board 122, with the power cord 120 entering through a snap lock box gland 126. Sponge mesh 124 is wrapped around the cord 120 and, with the top 98 shut, the sponge mesh 124 and the cord 120 are tightly fitted within the snap lock box gland 126. A similar arrangement applies at snap lock box gland 128. By placing the top 98 onto the base 100, the four hinged dip locks 118 are locked down to provide a weather proof seal. Any moisture present will egress through ports 110 in the base 100.

The embodiment provides for the protection of electrical power boards from water/moisture in forms of rain, condensation or even human accidental spills. The embodiment is advantageous as it provides a solution for having power outlets outside. It is envisaged that this will be particularly useful for lighting systems for parties and at Christmas. Furthermore, the embodiment allows power cables/power boards to be safely connected in a specially designed protective box that provides enough inside space for more than one five way power board, weather protected cable entry points with IP ratings and condensation eradicating processes in the form of resilient surfaces and channels for easy pathway to egress holes.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present

invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly, within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

For example, embodiments of the invention extend to the inner arrangement consisting of four posts about which the cables can be wound and in which a power board can be accommodated.

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". TABLE OF NUMERALS cable storage device 10 slots 32 cable 12 upper portion 34 outer arrangement 14 slots 36 outer periphery 16 upper portion 38 an inner arrangement 18 projections 37 inner periphery 20 solid cylindrical wall 39 inner structure 22 bottom 41 powerboard 24 recess 42 plurality of sockets 26 top 43 access means 28 housing 48 access means 30 end 50

other end 54 base 90 slot 56 housing 92 ^■ slot 58 electrical equipment 94 communication plug 60 body 96 electricity plug 62 set of lights 97 cable storage device 63 top 98 top portion 63' a base 100 bottom portion 63" first funnel shaped element 102 cable storage device 64 pfurality of drainage channels 104 powerboard 66 second funnel shaped element 106 female sockets 68 discharge opening 108 outer arrangement 70 plurality of ports 110 arrangement 72 cable snap lock box glands 112 inner structure 74 cable entry points 114 elongate internal periphery 76 web 116 octagonal compartment 78 clip locks 118 lid 80 power cord 120 six slots 82 power board 122 slot 84 sponge mesh 124 slot 86 snap lock box gland 126 electricity plugs 88 snap lock box gland 128