Psychiatrist creates Coils to contain cords

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

By Benjamin R. Bombard

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-For years, local psychiatrist John Thorn traveled around the country on business. Like a lot of business travelers, his work required him to lug around quite a few techno gadgets – a computer, a mouse, a printer, a cell phone – as well as all the cords needed to plug them into the wall and into one another.
“Every time I put my hand in my briefcase, I’d come out with a handful of black spaghetti,” Thorn recalled.

Thorn looked around on the market for a solution, something that could wind up cords neatly and efficiently. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he made it himself. The result is called Coil.

A Coil is a rubber device that looks like a hockey puck with a convex top. Pulling up on the rubbery top exposes the spindle. Cord-swamped consumers then wrap the offending cord around the spindle and pop the rubbery top back down.

After receiving a patent on his invention, Coils will go into production at a facility in Riverton before the end of the month. Thorn said the facility employs individuals with disabilities to assemble the Coils, conduct quality control and fulfill orders.
“I’ve been an erstwhile inventor for a long time,” said Thorn, who got the idea for his Coils in 2008. He finished a prototype of the product on Thanksgiving Day that year, fashioning it from Styrofoam and old scuba gear he had lying around his garage.

Thorn loaned one of the Coil prototypes to a friend to get some real-world feedback. “When I asked for it back, she said I couldn’t have it because it was keeping the coffee maker cord contained,” Thorn said.

Coils will come in two sizes: small Coils for MP3 player cords and headphones will cost $6.95, and large Coils for cords to laptops, desktops, household appliances, and of course coffee makers will sell for $7.95. Thorn said Coils will be sold online and at six local stores in Jackson Hole.



PERMALINK:
Psychiatrist creates Coils to contain cords | Planet JH News Article: General News

Leave a Comment