Larger coiled retractable extension cord

Abstract

An electrical power extension cord with a coiled section between the first and the second ends and at least one metal core conductor contained in the cord for transmitting electrical current to supply electrical power to a power device. One high elasticity spring to promote retraction and a hardened outer jacket to maintain the coiled composition. The coiled section has a coiled diameter of approximately eight times or greater than the diameter of the electrical power cord.

Description

CLEAN COPY OF THE DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is in the field of extension cords. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Extension cords have multiple wire conductors insulated and covered in an outer jacket. Having one connector at either ends of the conductors. Extension cords are sold coiled and uncoiled. Uncoiled extension cords are good for short distances and can be stored in a retracting wheel device when they are longer. Coiled extension cords rely on their coiling mechanism or outer jacket to keep them neat when not extended, and they typically have a coil diameter of one and one half to two times the cord diameter. In this regard, although it is not an extension cord, telephones commonly have coiled cords. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is generally classified as a coiled extension cord having a coiled diameter 9 times, and preferably 8 to 10 times, the cord diameter. Three insulated copper conductors, and a high elasticity spring, which are then contained within a hardened outer jacket covering. Having one end terminated in a connector and the second end terminated in a connector. An extension cord according to the present invention should have a coiled diameter of at least 8.0 times, and preferably approximately 9.0 times or more, the cord diameter, as compared to a conventional coiled diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 or 3.5 to 7.0 times the cord diameter. A coiled extension cord according to the present invention has many advantages over a conventional coiled and uncoiled extension cord. The practical space-saving extension cord of the present invention can be used with recreational vehicles, electrical vehicles, marine docks, heavy contractor's electrical tools, garden electrical tools, handyman electrical tools, computers, and other applications with need of power supply and extension cords / cables. While the invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those embodiments are important for an extension cord according to the present invention to have a memory that will hold the coils in the cord tight when the extension cord is not in an extended condition and will prompt retraction if the cord is being used in motion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the larger loop retractile extension cord (coiled section) according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the extension cord in a retracted coil position (a). FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the cord (2). FIG. 3 illustrates one coil of figure 1, coiled cord diameter and cord diameter. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the extension cord in a protracted coil position (b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION IN RELATION TO THE INVENTION DRAWINGS Glossary for FIGS. 1-4: 1. retractile extension cord 2. cord 3. coils in cord 4. coiled diameter 5.cord diameter 6. end connector 1 7. end connector 2 21. outer protective jacket / covering of cord 22. insulated conductors 23. copper wire in insulated conductors 22 24. insulation of insulated conductors 22 25. spring As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a larger loop retractile extension cord has a much higher ratio of extended length versus its smaller loop retracted length. Wherein this present invention has the benefit of requiring less storage space since it can extend out 25 up to 30 times its retracted length whereas conventional coiled extension cords with longer retracted length can extend out up to 3 to 5 times their retracted length. The novelty of the invention having the ability to extend an approximate ratio of 1:25, except to the extent that such wires contribute to overall diameter of the coiled cord. FIG. 2 illustrates (22) Three insulated copper conductors, (25) one high elasticity steel spring at 98A +2A tolerance, and (21) a hardened outer jacket made of a blend of thermoplastic and / or thermoset. The coiled section comprises a cord diameter of 0.5 inches and the coiled diameter of 4.5 inches. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 illustrate (6) end connector at one end of coiled section and (7) end connector at the other side of the coiled section. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved extension cord having a larger coiled cord diameter relative to the cord diameter with a hard jacket. Outer protective covering or jacket (21) of the cord (2) is an important aspect to the invention. It is especially desirable that the thickness of jacket (21) be kept minimal to maintain a minimum overall coiled cord diameter, although the jacket (21) must still provide suitable insulating properties. To achieve this trade-off, it is especially preferred that the jacket (21) have a high Durometer hardness, e.g., a Durometer hardness of approximately 50 to 55 D or greater, and approximately 55 D scale or greater, which also increases its tensile strength compared to conventional extension cords that have a hardness of 75 to 87 A. Wherein the tensile strength of the present invention exceeds this with the addition of the spring (25) and a harder outer jacket (21) to a scale of +98A or greater. The outer jacket (21) materials of thermoplastic elastomers (which include polyester, polyurethane, olefin rubber), cross linked polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chlorine, and ethylene vinyl acetate. Memory is created in the coiled section by method wherein the plurality of coiled polypropylene, polyvinyl chlorine and ethylene vinyl windings are created by winding the cord (1)(2)(3) about a mandrel. Wherein the memory is imparted to the coiled section by creating a plurality of the coil windings about a mandrel in a first direction from a cord, baking the plurality of the coil windings at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to create a memory characteristic, and then reversing the direction of the plurality of the coil windings (e.g., if the initial winding around a mandrel is clockwise, the winding upon reversal will be counterclockwise). Anything that serves the same function as a mandrel can be used in place of a mandrel and, for purposes of the present invention, mandrel shall be defined a mandrel or anything else on which the coil windings can be made. The spring (25) and the outer jacket (3) material is pertinent to the practical functions of the invention and the coiled diameter (4) is approximately 8 times or more greater than the diameter of the electrical power cord (5). This and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those who are able to connect the drawings and the detailed description of the invention set forth below.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a retractile electrical power extension cord terminating in a first end and a second end, wherein: the retractile electrical power extension cord comprises: a coiled section between the first and the second ends; at least one metal core conductor for transmitting electrical current to supply electrical power to a power device; and a spring; and the coiled section has a coiled diameter of 8 times or greater than a diameter of the retractile electrical power extension cord.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary covering / jacket having a hardness of 50 D or greater.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the primary covering / jacket has a hardness of 55 D or greater.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary cover / jacket fabricated of a blend of: thermoplastic and / or thermoset materials of thermoplastic elastomers, cross-linked polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chlorine, and ethylene vinylacetate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractile electrical power extension cord extends between 25 to 30 times its retracted length.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coiled section comprises a memory that returns the coiled section from an extended state to a retracted state.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory is imparted by creating a plurality of coil windings from at least a portion of an electrical power cord about a mandrel in a first direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory is further imparted by: baking the plurality of coil windings at a particular temperature and for a particular time to create a memory characteristic; and reversing the first direction of the plurality of coil windings.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary cover / jacket; and the at least one metal core conductor and the spring are housed within the primary cover / jacket.

10. A method, comprising: creating a plurality of coil windings in a first direction from an electrical power cord; baking the plurality of coil windings at a particular temperature and for a particular time to create a memory characteristic; and reversing the first direction of the plurality of coil windings to form a retractile electrical power extension cord; wherein: the retractile electrical power extension cord terminates in a first end and a second end; the retractile electrical power extension cord comprises: a coiled section between the first and the second ends; at least one metal core conductor for transmitting electrical current to supply electrical power to a power device; and a spring; and the coiled section has a coiled diameter of 8 times or greater than a diameter of the retractile electrical power extension cord.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of coil windings are created by winding the electrical power cord about a mandrel.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the extension cord can extend between 25 to 30 times its retracted length.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary covering / jacket having a hardness of 50 D or greater.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary covering / jacket has a hardness of 55 D or greater.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary cover / jacket fabricated of a blend of: thermoplastic and / or thermoset materials of thermoplastic elastomers, cross-linked polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chlorine, and ethylene vinylacetate.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the memory characteristic returns the coiled section from an extended state to a retracted state.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein: the retractile electrical power extension cord further comprises a primary cover / jacket; and the at least one metal core conductor and the spring are housed within the primary cover / jacket.