Abstract:
A cable retractor assembly is capable of retracting a cable onto a rotatable reel, the rotatable reel being urged to rotate in a predetermined direction by a biasing force. A moveable actuator when located in a first position is capable of overcoming the biasing force that urges the cable to be wound onto the reel. When the moveable actuator is in a second position, the moveable actuator does not impede the biasing force The retractor assembly may be integrated into or detachably secured to a portable electronic device. A sensor within the cable retractor assembly can detect when the reel rotates or the cable is extracted and thereby signal a coupled communications device to pick up an incoming call. The cable retractor assembly further comprises a pick-up actuator that when actuated signals a coupled communications device to pick up an incoming call.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a cable retraction assembly for use in a device such as a cell phone, or other related communications device or any device for delivering audio information. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Portable electronic devices such as AM/FM radios, cassette player, CD players, and MP3 players may utilize an earpiece at the end of a flexible cable to allow the user to listen to the radio or prerecorded music without disturbing surrounding people. Some earpieces also incorporate a microphone for use with a wireless phones. These earpieces come in many different sizes and configurations and are available at different price points and quality levels. Many users attach these portable electronic devices about their waistline and listen through the earpiece. The earpiece is coupled to the portable electronic devices with a predetermined length of cable. 
   A problem with these earpieces is that no one predetermined length of cable is right for each user and activity. In order to ensure there is enough cable length for every person and activity, the manufacturers typically provide an overly long cable. If a user finds that the length of cable is too long for his or her activity, the user must somehow reduce the amount of slack. The user can eliminate the slack by wrapping a portion of the cable around the electronic device until the appropriate length of cable remains or the user can coil the cable leaving an appropriate length of cable and secure the coil with tape or string. Both of these known methods do not allow the user the freedom to easily adjust the length of dispensed cable. The winding of the cable around the electronic device or into a coil can stress the wires inside the cable that may eventually lead to failure. 
   When the earpiece is not in use, the user must find a convenient location to store the earpiece and the associated length of cable. Often the user stores the earpiece in his or her pocket. If the earpiece is used in conjunction with a wireless phone and the user receives an incoming call, the user must quickly locate the earpiece and connect it to the phone in order to answer the call. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,805 entitled “Retractable Reel Assembly for Telephone Extension Cable” discloses a housing, which is adapted to be mounted to a wall in proximity to a telephone or telephone jack for utilization with either wall, mounted or table mounted telephones respectively. This device has a ratchet for selectively restraining rotation of the reel in one direction. The user can reel out an appropriate length of cable and then slowly release the cable to enable the locking mechanism. To recoil the cable, the user tugs on the cable and releases. The spring inside the housing then pulls the cable into the housing. A problem with this type of locking mechanism is that the mechanism is often difficult to engage. Another problem with a system like this is if the user accidentally tugs on the cable and releases, the cable will be uncontrollably recoiled into the housing. A further problem with systems like this is that the amount of dispensed cable is not infinitely selectable because the ratchet mechanism only has a fixed quantity of selectable positions. 
   A cable retractor for use with a cell phone is available from Safetone, Inc. of Fremont, Calif. The cable retractor includes an enclosure with a clip for attaching to a user&#39;s belt. An earpiece with a speaker is located at the end of a retractable cable. On the cable several inches from the speaker is a microphone. The retractor can be electrically connected to a cell phone with a separate, non-retractable cable. A drawback to this retractor is the cable retractor is a separate physical enclosure that cannot be mechanically coupled to the cell phone and the retractor takes up additional space on a user&#39;s belt or about their waistline. The non-retractable cable between the cell phone and the retractor can also get in the user&#39;s way. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is intended to overcome these disadvantages. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cable retractor that will allow the user to extract any length of cable quickly and easily. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cable retractor that can be coupled mechanically and electrically to an electronic device. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a cable retractor that can be coupled to an existing electronic device and allow the electronic device to recharge without having to remove the cable retractor. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cable retractor that is capable of signaling a coupled communications device to pickup an incoming call when the cable and/or speaker is extended. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cable retractor that is capable of silencing an audible alarm signaling an incoming call when the cable is extended. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a wireless phone; 
       FIG. 2A  is a bottom view of the cordless phone of  FIG. 1  and various peripherals; 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of a second form of construction of the connector of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3  is front view of a first embodiment of a cable retractor assembly consistent with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of the cable retractor assembly of  FIG. 3  coupled to the wireless phone of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of a second embodiment of a cable retractor assembly consistent with the present invention coupled to the wireless phone of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a first section view of the cable retractor assembly taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a second section view of the cable retractor assembly taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the cable retractor assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a first right side view of the cable retractor assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a second right side view of the cable retractor assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the cable retractor assembly taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial section view of a cable retractor consistent with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a first embodiment of a biasing member consistent with the present invention. 
   

   The above and other objects, feature, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a front view of a wireless phone  10  with a speaker  22  and a microphone  24 . Typically, the user holds the phone  10  in one hand, listens through the speaker  22 , and talks into the microphone  24 . The phone  10  can also be used in conjunction with a combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) coupled at the distal end of a cable  12  or  12 ′. The combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  can be inserted in a user&#39;s ear. The combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  picks up the sound of the user&#39;s voice from the vibrations of their jawbone. A combined speaker/microphone earpiece is available from M-squared Inc. under the name EARHUGGER®. The proximal end of the cable  12  may include a jack  20  for insertion into a receptacle  16  in the base of the phone  10  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Alternatively, the jack  20  can be coupled to the phone  10  using a connector  26 . The proximal end of the cable  12 ′ may include a connector  26 ′ for coupling to the phone  10 . 
   Conductors enclosed in the cables  12  and  12 ′ extend from the proximal end to the distal end. The combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  allows the user to carry on a hands free conversation while the phone is secured about the user&#39;s waist. 
   Alternatively, a speaker earpiece  14 A can be located at the distal end of the cable  12  or  12 ′ and a separate microphone  32  can be located along the cable a spaced distance from the speaker earpiece  14 A. 
   Also located on the base of the phone  10  is a plurality of terminals  18 . These terminals  18  allow the battery to be charged when the phone  10  is inserted in a charger, allow the user to insert the phone  10  in a cradle for use in a hands-free car phone set up, allow the phone to send and receive data to other devices, or allow the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  or separate speaker earpiece  14 A and microphone  32  to be coupled to the phone  10  using connector  26  or  26 ′. The connectors  26  and  26 ′ may include a release mechanism  62  and  62 ′ to allow the connector to be released from the phone  10 . The connectors  26  and  26 ′ have a pair of mechanical fasteners  30  for securing the connector  26  and  26 ′ to the phone  10 . The mechanical fasteners  30  fit in openings  28  in the base on phone  10 . 
   The phone  10  can be charged using either an AC/DC transformer  54  or a DC cigarette lighter adaptor  58 . The transformer  54  and the adaptor  58  can be connected to the phone  10  with jack  52  and  56  respectively. The jacks  52  or  56  can be inserted in to a receptacle  46  in the base of the phone  10 . The location of the receptacles  16  and  46  and the location and quantity of terminals  18  may vary from manufacture to manufacture. A problem with the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  14  being located on a cable  12  as mentioned above is that the length of cord is rarely the length the user desires and there is no convenient place to store the cable when not in use. 
     FIG. 3  shows a front view of a first embodiment of a cable retractor assembly  100  coupleable to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic devices may be one of an AM/FM radio, a CD player, an MP3 player, a cassette player, a personal digital assistant, a computer, a cordless phone, a radiophone, and a cellular phone. 
     FIG. 3A  shows the cable retractor assembly  100  coupled to the wireless phone  10  of  FIG. 1 . The cable retractor assembly  100  is shown extending generally downward from the base of the phone  10 . 
     FIG. 3B  shows a second embodiment of a cable retractor assembly  100 ′ coupled to wireless phone  10  of  FIG. 1 , the cable retractor assembly extending generally rearward of the phone  10 . The cable retractor may optionally include a clip  190  for securing the retractor and phone to a user&#39;s belt or waistline. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , the cable retractor assembly  100  is shown in an enclosure  102 . The cable retractor assembly  100  comprises a plurality of terminals  118  for electrically coupling the cable retractor assembly  100  to a portable electronic device, a printed circuit board  150  with conductive traces for coupling various electrical and mechanical components including the terminals  118  and  18 B, a rotatable reel  120  for reeling a length of a cable  112  with a combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A and microphone  132 , a biasing member  246  (see  FIG. 11 ) for causing the reel  120  to rotate in a predetermined direction, a combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114 , a locking mechanism  106  for resisting winding and unwinding of the cable  112 , a pair of mechanical fasteners  130  for securing the enclosure  102  to a portable electronic device, and a release mechanism  162  for releasing the cable retractor from a portable electronic device. 
   The mechanical fasteners  130  can be designed to give the user the ability to repeatably couple and decouple the cable retractor  100  to a portable electronic device. Many different types of suitable mechanical fasteners can be used to couple these components together. Mechanical fasteners are well known to those in art, a detailed explanation will therefore be omitted. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of terminals  118  are capable of being coupled to the plurality of terminals  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) on the base of phone  10 . The mechanical fasteners  130  fit in openings  28  (see  FIG. 2 ) in the base of phone  10 . An optional jack  148  may be electrically coupled through the printed circuit board  150  to an optional receptacle  146  located on the base of the retractor  100 . The electrically coupled jack  148  and the receptacle  146  allow the user to charge or power the phone  10  without having to remove the retractor  100  from the phone  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the cable retractor and the portable electronic may share a common enclosure (i.e. not capable of being decoupled). The cable retractor assembly  100  may further optionally comprise a microphone  110  electrically coupled to the plurality of terminals  118  through printed circuit board  150 . 
   A molded cradle  116  may be formed in the enclosure  102  to hold the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A when not in use. The earpiece  114  can be secured in the cradle  116  with the locking mechanism  106 . The earpiece is coupled to the plurality of terminals  118  through a cable  112  that is wrapped around the reel  120 . The locking mechanism  106  may include a contoured grip portion  108 . The locking mechanism  106  is shown protruding from the side of the enclosure  102 . Alternatively, the locking mechanism can be designed not to protrude from the side of the enclosure  102 . 
   Alternatively, the cable retractor assembly comprises an actuator  172 . The actuator may be electrically coupled though the printed circuit board to terminal  118  on the topside of the enclosure  102 . In the event the coupled wireless phone  10  receives an incoming call, the user can simply actuate the actuator  172  to pick up the incoming call. 
   Alternatively, the cable retractor assembly comprises a sensor  176  for sensing movement of the cable  112  or rotation of reel  120 . The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor or an optical sensor secured to a printed circuit board  150 . Methods for sensing motion are well known in the art. When motion or rotation is sensed, the coupled wireless phone can be signaled through terminals  118 . In the event the coupled wireless phone  10  receives an incoming call, the sensed movement or rotation can signal the wireless phone to pick up the incoming call. 
   Alternatively, the cable retractor comprises an actuator  174  coupled to the printed circuit board that may be actuated by the earpiece  114  or  114 A when the earpiece is inserted in a cradle  116  on the enclosure  102 . When the state of the actuator  174  is changed by removal of the earpiece from the cradle, the coupled wireless phone can be signaled through terminals  118  to pick up an incoming call. 
   Alternatively, the cable retractor assembly  100  may monitor whether the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A and microphone  132  are extended outside the enclosure  102 . When the cable retractor assembly  100  is coupled to a wireless phone or built into a wireless phone, the wireless phone can be programmed to disable the ringer on the phone whenever the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A and microphone  32  is extended. The phone would alert the user of an incoming call through the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A. Alternatively, the wireless phone can be programmed to signal the user by causing a vibrator in the enclosure to vibrate whenever there is an incoming call and the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A and microphone  32  are extended. 
   By having the cable retractor electrically coupleable to the wireless phone, the wireless phone can be programmed to respond differently depending on the state of the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker  114 A and microphone  32 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the earpiece  114  or  114 A is secured in the enclosure  102  by the locking mechanism  106 . To decouple the earpiece from the enclosure  102 , the user can urge the locking mechanism  106  downward. Alternatively, the enclosure  102  can be designed to allow the earpiece to snap in to the enclosure without the need for the locking mechanism  106 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  is shown tethered to the cable retractor assembly  100  by cable  112 . Alternatively, the speaker earpiece  114 A and microphone  132  can be tethered to the cable retractor assembly  100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the combined speaker microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A can be decoupled from the enclosure  102  by exerting force on the earpiece with the operators fingers  184  and  186  and pulling away from the enclosure  102 . After the user has decoupled the earpiece from the enclosure  102  and unreeled the desired length of cable  112  by urging the earpiece away from the enclosure  102 , the user can urge the locking mechanism  106  upward to the position shown in  FIG. 8 . The cable  112  extends from the reel  120  along a passageway  162  and exits the enclosure  102  through an opening  160 . The passageway  162  and the opening  160  can be sized to allow the microphone  132  to be retracted inside the enclosure  102  when used with the speaker earpiece  114 A. By urging the locking mechanism  106  upward, the locking mechanism  106  compresses the cable  112  against the side of opening  160 . An alternative locking mechanism can resist motion of the cable  112  by resisting rotational motion of the reel  120 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the reel  120  is urged to rotate clockwise by a biasing member  246  (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). In this embodiment, the biasing member  246  constantly urges the reel to rotate. Alternatively, the combined speaker/microphone earpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A can be secured in a cradle on the exterior of the enclosure  102 . The earpiece and the cradle can be designed to allow the earpiece to snap into the cradle. Alternatively, the earpiece and the cradle can be designed to require that the earpiece be rotated, for example 90°, prior to removal from the cradle. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the cable retractor assembly  100  includes a ratchet and pawl mechanism and a release mechanism  180 . As the user urges the combined earpiece/mouthpiece  114  or speaker earpiece  114 A from the enclosure  102 , the ratchet prevents the cable  112  from being retracted into the enclosure  102  when the user releases the earpiece or the cable  112 . By actuating the release mechanism  180 , the cable  112  is retracted on to the reel  120 . Many different types of suitable ratchet mechanisms and release mechanisms can be coupled to the reel  120  or cable  112 . Ratchet mechanisms and release mechanisms are well known to those in the art, a detailed explanation will therefore be omitted. U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,213 entitled Reel Device discloses a ratchet and pawl mechanism and a release mechanism suitable for use in the present invention. The &#39;213 patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cable retractor  100  may include a plurality of terminals  18 B and openings  28 A on its base. The terminals  18 B can be electrically coupled to the terminal  118  located on the topside of the enclosure  102  through the printed circuit board  150 . These terminals on the base of the cable retractor allow the portable electronic device to be coupled with other devices without having to remove the cable retractor  100  from the portable electronic device. The terminals  18 B allow the battery in the portable electronic device to be charged when the phone  10  is inserted in a charger, allow the user to insert the phone  10  in a cradle for use in a hands-free car phone set up, and allow the phone to send and receive data to other devices. Openings  28 A allow other devices to be mechanically coupled to the cable retractor assembly  100 . 
   A detailed cross-sectional view of the cable retractor assembly  100  consistent with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 . A reel  120  is rotatably mounted within a cavity  232  within the housing  102 . More specifically, the side  231  of the reel  120  is provided with a hole  234  acting as a sleeve, which receives a hub  236  extending inwardly from side  216  of the housing  102 . A screw  240  passes through a hole  280  in the side  214  of housing  102  into the hub  236  to provide a pivotal axis for rotation of the reel  120 . 
   The reel  120  is constructed with a spool wall  244 , preferable circular in shape, which together with the outer surface of the hub  236  defines a circular cavity  242 . A spiral spring connector  246  is disposed within the cavity  242 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a first end of the spiral spring connector  246  is coupled to the reel  120  and the second end of the spiral spring connector  246  is coupled to the hub  236 . Specifically, an outer end of the spiral spring connector  246  passes through an opening  248  in the spool wall  244 , and connects the retractable cable  112  at electrical connection  250 . For example, the end of the spiral spring connector  246  can be soldered, as shown, to the end of the retractable cable  112 . An opposite end of the spiral telephone connector  246  is connected to the housing  102 . Specifically, an inner end of the spiral spring connector  246  is bent at approximately ninety (90) degrees and fits into a slot  245  in the hub  236 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , to anchor that end of the spring from movement within the housing  102  during a winding operation. The conductors in the spiral spring connector  246  are coupled to the printed circuit board  150  by connector  262 . 
   The spiral spring connector  246  is shown removed from the cavity  242  of the reel  120  in  FIG. 11 . The spiral spring connector  246  is shown in an unwound mode with space between adjacent surfaces thereof. Upon rotating of the reel  120  during use, the spiral spring connector becomes wound tightly with adjacent surfaces thereof coming into contact with each other. The spiral spring connector  246  provides means for retracting the cable  112  by winding the reel  120  when the cable  112  is at least partially extracted for the cable retractor  100 . 
   A first embodiment of the construction of the spiral spring connector according to the present invention is as follows. Two (2) copper telephone wires are each made from a flat sheet of copper of 0.062 inch in width and 3 mils ( 1/1000 inch) in thickness. The two (2) telephone wires are arranged parallel and side-by-side with a spacing of 100 centers, and then laminated between two (2) pieces of MYLAR of 2 mils thickness with a hot glue adhesive sprayed on the inside surfaces of the MYLAR prior to the lamination step. To this assembly a laminating pressure is applied which causes the copper wires to adhere to the MYLAR, which in the assembly acts as an insulator. Additional conductor may be provided if necessary. U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,593 entitled Telephone and Telephone Cord Retraction Device and Method of Making discloses a suitable retractor coil for use in the present invention, the &#39;593 patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claim(s):