Universal Cable Winder

Abstract

A universal cable winder comprising a reel (10) and a handle (12) configured for combined sliding and rotational engagement to enable smooth winding and unwinding. The handle (12) travels within one or more grooves (14) on the reel (10) to guide cable movement and maintain stable contact. The reel includes a hub (16) having a recessed region (32) and retaining flanges (34) that prevent the wound cable from protruding beyond the outer reel surface. One or more passages (18) permit routing of cables of various diameters and connector types, while retaining tabs (22, 30) secure the cable ends during and after winding. The handle incorporates a finger hole (24) and contoured features (26, 28) that promote smooth operation and consistent coiling. The device accommodates multiple cable types for professional, residential, and entertainment use, providing a compact, durable, and easy-to-use solution for cable organization.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 707,203, filed Oct. 15, 2024, entitled “Universal Cable Winder,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to devices for organizing and managing cables and cords. More specifically, it concerns a versatile and modular winding device for storing and deploying various cable types, including but not limited to audio, video, power, and data cables.

[0003] Existing cable management devices, such as traditional winders and reels, often rely on rigid housings or enclosures that make loading and unloading cables slow and cumbersome.

[0004] Many are designed for a single cable diameter or connector type, rendering them incompatible with the wide variety of cables used by musicians, technicians, and consumers. Others allow cables to protrude or tangle easily once wound, creating clutter, trip hazards, and unnecessary wear on the cables themselves.

[0005] These limitations result in slower setup times, reduced usability, and premature cable damage for users managing cords of various sizes and connector shapes. Accordingly, there remains a need for a universal cable winder that simplifies operation, accommodates diverse cable types, prevents tangling and protrusion, and provides a compact, easy-to-use solution suitable for both professional and personal environments.

[0006] The handle and reel may be formed as separate, replaceable components to facilitate modular construction and ease of repair.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The Universal Cable Winder provides a compact and versatile solution for cable organization that overcomes the limitations of traditional reels and winders. The device includes a spool or reel (10) and a handle (12) configured to slide along one or more grooves (14) in the reel. This configuration enables smooth winding and unwinding while maintaining stable engagement between the handle and spool.

[0008] Unlike conventional winders that rely on fixed handles or rigid housings, the present design allows free rotational movement and controlled guidance of the handle during use, reducing tangling and improving efficiency. In certain embodiments, the reel (10) includes a hub (16) with a recessed region (32) and retaining flanges (34) that prevent the wound cable from protruding beyond the outer reel surface, maintaining a neat coil and protecting cable ends.

[0009] Retaining tabs (22, 30) securely hold the cable in place, while one or more passages (18) allow the winder to accommodate cables of varying diameters and connector types. This universal capability makes the device suitable for managing audio, power, data, and video cables across professional, residential, and entertainment environments. The combination of these features provides a simple, low-cost, and durable solution that enhances usability and extends the life of the cables being stored.

[0010] The device may be optionally mounted, integrated, or adapted for attachment to other surfaces or storage systems.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Universal Cable Winder showing the reel (10), handle (12), grooves (14), hub (16), one or more passages (18), connector-retaining tabs (22) for securing the cable connector, cable-retaining tabs (30) for holding the cable portion, finger hole (24), curved-out section (26), curved-in end portions (28), recessed region (32), and retaining flanges (34).

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from an alternate angle illustrating the reel (10), handle (12), grooves (14), hub (16), one or more passages (18), finger hole (24), connector-retaining tabs (22), cable-retaining tabs (30), curved-out section (26), curved-in end portion (28), recessed region (32), and retaining flanges (34).

[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing the handle (12), reel (10), groove (14), one or more passages (18), curved-out section (26), and curved-in end portion (28).

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the reel (10), handle (12), grooves (14), hub (16), one or more passages (18), finger hole (24), connector-retaining tabs (22), cable-retaining tabs (30), curved-out section (26), curved-in end portion (28), recessed region (32), and retaining flanges (34).

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the handle (12) separated from the reel (10), illustrating the grooves (14), hub (16), one or more passages (18), finger hole (24), connector-retaining tabs (22), cable-retaining tabs (30), curved-out section (26), curved-in end portion (28), recessed region (32), and retaining flanges (34).

[0016] FIG. 6 is an in-use perspective view showing a cable (20) wound around the hub (16) and routed through one or more passages (18), with the connector portion secured beneath connector-retaining tabs (22) and the cable portion secured between cable-retaining tabs (30); the cable (20) is shown in dashed lines for clarity. The handle (12), reel (10), grooves (14), finger hole (24), recessed region (32), curved-out section (26), curved-in portion (28), and retaining flanges (34) are also shown.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view illustrating the handle (12), finger hole (24), connector-retaining tabs (22), cable-retaining tabs (30), curved-in end portion (28), and recessed region (32).

[0018] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view illustrating the reel (10), hub (16), grooves (14), one or more passages (18), curved-out section (26), retaining flanges (34), and the overall configuration of the handle (12) as positioned relative to the reel (10).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, the Universal Cable Winder is shown comprising two primary components: a reel or spool (10) and a handle (12). The handle (12) is mechanically engaged with the reel (10) by one or more grooves or channels (14) that permit the handle to slide along the reel's surface. This configuration enables smooth winding and unwinding motion while maintaining stable contact and control between the components. Unlike conventional cable reels with fixed or pivoting handles, the sliding engagement of the handle (12) provides guided movement that accommodates cables of varying diameters and minimizes twisting or tangling during operation.

[0020] In some embodiments, the reel (10) may include a central hub (16) or equivalent structure, while in other embodiments the reel may receive the cable directly on its surface without a distinct hub.

[0021] A central hub (16) forms the core structure around which a cable (20) is wound. The hub (16) includes a recessed region (32) configured to allow the wound cable to sit below the reel's outer surface, thereby preventing protrusion and protecting the cable from bending stress. Retaining flanges or partial protrusions (34) extend from the hub (16) to help retain the wound cable securely within the recessed region (32). Together, these features maintain a smooth winding surface, reducing wear and ensuring the coil remains compact and uniform regardless of cable type.

[0022] One or more passages (18) extend through the reel (10), permitting routing of cables of varying thicknesses and connector types. Each passage (18) provides an entry or exit point that allows the cable (20) to be fed through the device without restriction. This configuration eliminates the need for manual threading through a fixed slot or hub opening, enabling the winder to accommodate audio, power, data, or video cables interchangeably. The universal nature of these passages allows a single device to serve multiple purposes in professional, residential, or entertainment environments.

[0023] Two example retaining features (22, 30), shown as tabs in the figures, are provided for securing the cable and connector ends. The connector-retaining tabs (22) are positioned centrally in the hub (16) between the flanges (34) to hold the connector or plug portion of the cable (20) securely in place. The cable-retaining tabs (30) are located along the side of the hub (16) or adjacent regions and are configured to retain the flexible cable portion between windings. In certain embodiments, the retaining tabs may be resilient or flexible to allow slight deflection when the cable (20) is inserted or removed. In other embodiments, the tabs may be rigid protrusions, ridges, or molded features that provide equivalent retention. Both configurations effectively secure the cable and maintain coil integrity, preventing loosening or displacement during transport and storage-a common issue with traditional open-reel designs.

[0024] The handle (12) incorporates several features that improve control and usability. A recessed finger hole (24) allows the user to rotate the winder manually or insert an external object, such as a pen or dowel, to increase torque. A curved-out section (26) along the handle provides additional space for overlapping windings, while curved-in end portions (28) guide the cable smoothly along its path and prevent cross-winding or tangling. These complementary contours enable a clean, uniform coil regardless of cable flexibility or diameter.

[0025] During operation, a user threads one end of the cable (20) through a selected passage (18), wraps one or more windings of the cable end around the hub (16) and within the recessed region (32) and secures the connector portion beneath one of the connector-retaining tabs (22) and the cable portion between one or more cable-retaining tabs (30). The user then holds the handle (12) and inserts a finger or tool into the finger hole (24) and rotates the reel (10) while the handle slides along the grooves (14), evenly distributing the cable layers within the reel (10).

[0026] When winding is complete, the winder may be placed on a flat surface or hung using the finger hole (24), mounted using hook-and-loop fasteners, keeping the cable neatly stored and readily accessible.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cable or connector may be retained using alternative means such as clips, magnetic elements, elastic members, or adhesive features, all of which are considered functionally equivalent to the retaining tabs (22, 30).

[0028] The Universal Cable Winder thus provides a durable, adaptable, and user-friendly solution for managing cables of various types and lengths. Its two-piece, sliding-handle design simplifies winding while preventing tangling and strain, extending cable life and improving organization across a wide range of professional and personal applications.

[0029] In alternative embodiments, the guiding interface between the handle (12) and the reel (10) may be formed in different configurations. For example, the reel may include a single groove or channel positioned along the outer rim, or a recessed track located within the hub (16) itself. In some forms, a partial or segmented groove may be used to allow removable handle engagement or limited travel. These variations provide equivalent functionality by maintaining alignment and rotational control between the handle (12) and the reel (10), while enabling alternative manufacturing or aesthetic designs.

[0030] In some embodiments, the handle (12) may include a hooked, enclosed, or interlocking section that engages with a corresponding ridge, rail, or projection on the reel (10), providing equivalent alignment and retention without the use of a groove.

[0031] The configuration of the handle (12) and reel (10) may vary according to material selection, cable diameter, and manufacturing method without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] In some embodiments, the Universal Cable Winder may include one or more attachment features for storage or mounting. The device may be configured to attach to a wall, surface, or equipment case using hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive pads, magnetic strips, clips, or equivalent attachment means. Such configurations allow the winder to be conveniently stored or positioned near workstations, pedalboards, or other cable management areas while maintaining portability and ease of access.

[0033] The device may also be integrated into or used as part of a larger mounting assembly or storage system while retaining its functional features of winding and retention.

[0034] In some embodiments, the Universal Cable Winder may include one or more containment features for preventing cable protrusion. Containment features may include peripheral walls, rims, or collars that prevent the wound cable from extending beyond the outer surface of the reel.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the specific shapes and structures shown in the drawings, including the tab-like retention features, are merely illustrative embodiments and may be replaced by equivalent elements such as clips, magnetic features, adhesives, or any other retention mechanism without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0036] It will be understood that variations in shape, dimension, and material may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A universal cable winder comprising:a reel (10) configured to receive a wound cable (20); anda handle (12) mechanically engaged with the reel (10) and configured for rotation relative to the reel (10), the handle (12) being slidable along at least one guiding interface of the reel (10) to wind and unwind the cable (20).

2. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the reel (10) includes a hub (16) configured to receive the wound cable (20).

3. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the handle (12) includes a finger hole (24) configured to receive a user's finger or an external object to facilitate rotation.

4. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the reel (10) includes one or more passages (18) that permit routing of cables of varying diameters or connector types.

5. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein one or more retention features are positioned along or adjacent to the reel (10) and configured to secure at least one portion of the cable (20) during or after winding.

6. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the grooves or channels (14) extend around the reel (10) and are positioned on opposite sides of the reel (10) to guide and retain the handle (12) in a stable winding position.

7. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the guiding interface between the handle (12) and the reel (10) comprises one or more engagement features, including at least one groove (14), channel, rail, or projection configured to receive, retain, or cooperate with a corresponding portion of the handle (12) to maintain alignment during winding and unwinding, or another guiding mechanism configured to maintain controlled relative motion between the handle and reel during winding.

8. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the hub (16) includes a recessed region (32) and one or more retaining flanges (34) configured to maintain the wound cable (20) below an outer surface of the reel (10) to prevent protrusion and bending strain.

9. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for cable management in professional, residential, commercial, and entertainment environments such as musical performance, studio production, audiovisual installation, and household cable organization.

10. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the handle (12) and the reel (10) are separate components configured for mechanical engagement, the handle (12) being slidably or rotatably coupled to the reel (10) to permit assembly, disassembly, or replacement, and the device may further include additional components that perform equivalent or supporting functions.

11. The universal cable winder of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment features configured to secure the winder to a surface or case using hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive pads, magnetic strips, clips, or equivalent attachment means.

12. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein one or more retention means are provided for securing the cable (20) or its connector to the reel (10), the retention means comprising any structure, adhesive, magnetic, or mechanical element configured to prevent cable displacement or connector separation during storage, transport, or handling.

13. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the handle (12) and reel (10) are formed as an integral structure providing an external gripping surface configured for rotational control equivalent to a separate handle.

14. The universal cable winder of claim 1, wherein the reel (10) includes one or more containment features configured to prevent the wound cable (20) from protruding beyond an outer surface of the reel (10), the containment features comprising a recessed region (32) flange (34), wall, or equivalent structure.

Images