Elasticized Cord Sleeve with Tether for Organization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices often have unsightly and tangled cords that detract from aesthetics and are prone to entanglement, necessitating a solution to conceal and manage these cords effectively.

Innovation Solution

An elasticized fabric sleeve with a tether is used to cover electric cords, allowing for easy insertion and identification, while maintaining structural integrity and preventing tangling through elastic properties and decorative options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If electric cords are concealed using a covering, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but ease of identification of cord type deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcord type identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color coding to the exposed tether portion to indicate different cord types. Different colors correspond to different cord categories (e.g., power cords, data cables), allowing users to quickly identify cord types without removing the covering. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining aesthetic concealment while providing visual information through color variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies decorative indicia and color coding only to specific local areas (the tether ends that remain exposed), rather than the entire cord covering. This localized application of visual identifiers maintains the overall aesthetic appearance while providing necessary identification information at key interaction points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a tether is used to insert the cord into the sleeve, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord insertionVSAvoidcovering structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tether as an intermediary element that facilitates cord insertion. The tether acts as a guide and pulling mechanism, allowing users to easily draw the cord through the elasticized sleeve without direct manipulation of the cord itself. This simple intermediary component significantly improves ease of operation while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the cord insertion function from the cord itself by using a distinct tether element. The tether can be independently manipulated, cut to length, and attached to the cord, dividing the insertion task into manageable steps and reducing the complexity of the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sleeve is made elasticized, then adaptability to different cord sizes is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord size accommodationVSAvoidsleeve construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the sleeve material by using elasticized fabric instead of rigid or non-stretch material. This allows the sleeve to dynamically adjust its dimensions to accommodate various cord sizes and diameters. The elastic properties enable the sleeve to expand and contract as needed, providing versatility without requiring multiple sizes of sleeves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an elasticized fabric sleeve that functions as a flexible covering, allowing it to conform to different cord shapes and sizes. The flexibility and stretchability of the fabric material provide adaptability across various cord dimensions while maintaining a neat, fitted appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively conceals and organizes electric cords, enhancing the aesthetic appearance and preventing entanglement, while allowing for easy identification of the cord type through decorative indicia and color coding.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9472930B2Coverings for electric cords and methods of covering electric cords

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 LAKE MAIORANA LISA L

AI summary

A covering for electric cords includes an elasticized fabric sleeve having a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening. The sleeve defines a lumen between the first and second openings configured to dispose an electric cord therein. The covering further includes a tether slidingly disposed within the lumen of the sleeve adapted to dispose the electric cord within the lumen of the sleeve.