Earplug Wire Retention Tabs for Mobile Communication Device Casing

The present invention discloses a cord retention device comprising a pair of pivoted tabs. The pivoted tabs can be frictionally locked in different positions when rotated axially in hollow dwell portions of their mounting brackets. The retention tabs are adapted to apply a compressive force to the wires or cords attached to a mobile electronic sound device and prevent the wires or cords from tangling. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pivoted tabs are substantially 180 degree pivoted to facilitate easy release of the retained wires or cords.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is perspective view of the rear of a casing10for a mobile phone21or other communication device where the user attaches a wire or cord15connected to earpieces17to the sound output port11of device21. A pair of pivoted wire or cord retention tabs12are pivotally mounted directly to the rear surface of casing10of the electronic device. If the electronic device is being used without a casing10, the tabs12can be pivotally mounted to the rear of the electronic device itself. The tabs12are spaced apart from each other and are pivotable in tubular mounting brackets18. The tabs12are 90 degrees rotatable in one embodiment of the present invention, and are 180 degrees pivotal in another embodiment. When the tabs12are pivoted outward in an up frictional lock position11, a user may wind the earpiece wires15around the two tabs12. Winding the wires or cords15around tabs12prevents the cables from hanging loose when the earpieces17are not in use.

After winding the wires15around the tabs12, the user manually pushes the tabs12down to a down frictional lock position13, as illustrated inFIG. 2. As will be explained, in the position shown inFIG. 2, the frictional locking mechanism of mounting brackets18will apply a force to the wound wires tending to maintain the wires in the wound position against the rear surface of casing10. The user may easily release the wires15for the earpieces17by rotating both of the tabs12inwardly toward each other, or rotating one tab12in the direction towards the other tab12. When either of the tabs12is rotated the inward position, the tabs12can no longer retain wires15, and the wires15are released for the user to utilize conveniently. Also, if the electrical device21is in a shirt or blouse pocket, the user may manually unwind only a portion of the wires15when the earpieces17are being used, thus preventing excess wires from hanging loose.

Alternatively to mounting the tabs12to casing10of an electrical device21, the tabs12can also be pivotally attached directly to the rear surface of the electrical device21. When the wires15are being used instead of retained by the tabs12, the tabs12are folded to at least partially contact the surface they are mounted on. The folded position of the tabs12takes very little space and has practically no effect on portability of the electrical device21.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a pair of earplug wire retention tabs12attached to a strip30, and the strip30is attached to the side surface the casing10of a mobile electronic device21. A pair of pivoted tabs12are attached to strip30. The pivoted tabs12are held by a pair of tubular mounting brackets18on the strip30. The tabs12are spaced a predetermined distance from each other because they are fixed on the strip30. In the illustrated embodiment, the strip30can be of plastic, metal or other suitable material. The strip30has an adhesive coating32(FIG. 5) on the side opposite mounting brackets18to attach the strip30directly to a side edge of casing10, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively the strip30may also be attached to the rear surface of casing10(not shown).FIG. 3shows the wires or cords15being wound around tabs12.FIG. 4illustrates the wires15held in a frictional locked position against the strip30when the tabs are rotated downward and outward.FIG. 5shows each of the retention tabs12mounted in a spaced apart position on strip30, and showing adhesive coating32on the underside of strip30.

FIG. 6illustrates the details of an embodiment of the locking mechanism used in the mounting brackets18to frictionally lock the pivoted tabs12in their respective positions. Each tab12has horizontal outwardly extending portions14inserted into the hollow portions16of mounting brackets18. The extending portions14of the tabs12are adapted to rotate axially in hollow portions16of a corresponding bracket. Each hollow mounting bracket18has an opening at its center. Nose portions22are located on each side of the hollow portion16of the mounting brackets. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, the top of tab12has a portion33projecting outwardly from the plane of tabs12. The portion33prevents the wires15from slipping off from the outer ends of tabs12during the winding process.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, the tabs12can be rotated between two frictional locked positions in the opening on the brackets18. Opening25in this embodiment allows the tabs12to rotate from a position adjacent to the casing10(not shown) and stopping at a position 90 degrees perpendicular to the casing10(not shown) when the tabs12reach the closing edge of the opening25. As each tab12is rotated, a portion20of each tab contacts the edge surfaces of nose portions22on either side of mounting brackets18, such that the legs24of tabs12are forced inward towards each other as the tabs12rotates. When the portions20on each tab12advance past the apex26of the nose portion22, legs24move outward again into dwell portions23due to the inherent spring action of tabs12. Each tab12residing in dwell23will be frictionally locked in the winding position (FIGS. 1,3) between the apex26of the nose and the closing edge of the opening25. The user winds the wires or cords15around the tabs12when the tabs are in the winding position 90 degrees perpendicular to the casing10.

When the user finishes winding the wires or cords15, the tabs12are rotated down to the position shown inFIGS. 2 and 4. The tabs12are held in a winding or retaining position by the snap friction lock mechanism of nose portions22of brackets18. The snap friction lock mechanism applies a compressive force to the wound cables to assist in maintaining the cables in place around the tabs12in the outward retaining position.

While the opening25shown inFIG. 6allows the retention tabs12to rotate a maximum of 90 degrees in relation with the casing10(not shown), the mounting bracket18can also be designed to allow different angles for the purpose of frictionally locking the tabs12in an appropriate position to receive the wires or cords15.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7, the edge of each nose portion22of each mounting bracket18has double apexes36and38, and an intermediate dwell portion34. As each tab12is rotated, the tab12can be frictionally locked at its cord lock position, cord winding extended lock position, and cord release positions as illustrated inFIGS. 8A-C.

FIG. 8Ashows a retention tab12in its cord release lock position. In this position, referring toFIG. 7, the tab12is located in dwell37at the outer edge of the first apex36. When both tabs12in the device are in this cord release lock position, the tabs12are not retaining any wires. When the user rotates tab12axially in hollow portion16of mounting bracket18, the legs24of the tab12are forced inward until they reach the first apex36. The tab12is locked in the extended cord-winding lock position (FIG. 8B) when the legs24continue to rotate past the first apex36, and come to rest in dwell portion34(FIG. 7) located between the double apexes36and38. The extended lock position shown inFIG. 8B, allows the user to wind the wires15with one hand around the two tabs12while holding electronic device21in the other hand. The top curved portion33of the tabs facilitates the retention of the wires15. The tabs12remain in the extended lock position (FIG. 8b) in dwell portion34during the winding process because the double apexes36and38apply a force to prevent the legs24from rotating outward or inward.

The tab12can be further rotated so the legs24of the tab12are able to reach and pass the second apex38and rest in dwell portion39(FIG. 7), and thus become frictionally locked in the cord lock position as shown inFIG. 8C. The cord lock position ofFIG. 8Cmaintains the cables in place around the tabs12. The apex38applies an over-center snap lock compressive force to the legs24, while force holds the retention tabs12in a direction towards the surface of casing10. This force holds the cords15in their wound position, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4.

The second apex38has an outer edge that contacts the leg24of the retention tab12. In one embodiment of the outer edge40illustrated inFIG. 7, the outer edge40is smooth. In an alternative embodiment, the outer edge41of the second apex38leading to dwell portion39has sawtooth or serrated configuration43along the edge41. Depending on the volume of cords15wound around the tabs12, the tabs12are raised to different angular heights. The sawtooth or serrated shaped outer edge41helps in maintaining the legs24of the retention tabs12at the appropriate height to accommodate different amount of wires15the user retains by the tabs12. Two substantially similar sawtooth outer edges39can be placed on both sides of the second apex38. Both outer edges40of the second apex38can also be smooth as is outer edge40illustrated inFIG. 7.

The apex26(FIG. 6) and double apexes36and38(FIG. 7) of the nose portion of each mounting bracket18can vary in size and position in manufacturing to better accommodate the wires or cords15wound around the tabs12. The present invention has advantages over prior art cord winding devices because of its simplicity in manufacturing, and is easy to install and use on a mobile electrical device. The tabs12in the present invention can move pivotally approximately 180 degrees to retain and release the earpiece wires15. The frictional locking mechanism on the mounting brackets18overcomes the disadvantage of the tabs becoming loose as in prior devices.

While one particular embodiment of earplug wire retention tabs for mobile communication devices of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.