Retractable wire holder for electric unit

Abstract: An electric unit is powered by an external electric power source through a flexible wire (5) plugged into a socket (7) of the external electric power source, and the flexible wire is wound around a retractable winder (6) after the flexible wire is pulled out, wherein the wire-winder is retracted into a space occupied by the electric unit so that the occupied space is decreased without sacrifice of the external appearance.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an electric unit and, more particularly, to a wire holder incorporated in the electric unit for a flexible wire. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART An electric unit such as a tuner or a synthesizer is powered with an external power source, and electric power is supplied from a socket through a plug-in flexible wire. An operator plugs the flexible wire into the socket, and, then, starts the electric unit to perform a music, by way of example. However, while the electric unit is standing idle, the flexible wire is pulled out. If the flexible wire is left on a floor, a foot may get caught in the flexible wire, and the operator feels it dangerous. For this reason, the electric unit is usually equipped with wire-winder fixed to the body thereof. After the performance, the operator winds the flexible wire on the winder, and prevents people from the accident. The prior art wire-winder is stationary on the box of the electric unit, and is usually provided on the rear panel of the electric unit. The wire-winder backwardly projects from the rear panel of the box and the operator winds the flexible wire around the winder. The wire-winder thus backwardly projecting from the body per se requires a space between the rear panel and a wall of a room, and, moreover, the winding work further requires a wider space for the operator. This means that the prior art electric musical instrument occupies a substantial amount of area. If, on the other hand, the wire-winder is provided on a side panel or a front panel of the electric musical instrument, any space is not required between the rear panel and the wall of the room. However, the wire-winder projecting from the body is eyesore, and deteriorates the external appearance of the electric unit. Further information relating to the prior art can be found in US-A-3 290 308 which relates to a ready stored power cord assembly having a cord spool slidably arranged in a receptacle for movement between a position in which the spool is entirely within the receptacle and a position in which the spool is out of the receptacle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an electric unit which occupies a small amount of area without deterioration of the external appearance. To accomplish the object, the present invention proposes to make a wire holder retractable. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electric unit powered by an external power source, comprising: a case housing electric components therein, and having a front surface and a rear surface; a flexible wire plugged into the external power source, and supplying electrical power to the electric components; and a wire holder projecting from the rear surface for holding the flexible wire, and retractable into a predetermined space occupied by the case. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the electric unit according to the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a tuner according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing a retractable wire-holder incorporated in the tuner according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing another retractable wire-holder according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a bottom view showing yet another retractable wire-holder according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a controller for an electronic percussion system embodying the present invention largely comprises a case 1, integrated circuit devices 2 as well as discrete devices 3 mounted on a print board 4, a flexible wire 5 and a retractable wire-winder 6. The case 1 has a front panel 1a and a rear panel 1b, and forms an inner space therein. The print board 4 is housed in the inner space of the case, and is electrical connected with the flexible wire 5. The flexible wire 5 has a plug unit 5a at the leading end thereof, and the plug unit 5a is plugged into a socket 7 for supplying electric power through the flexible wire 5 to the print board 4. Four cushion buttons 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f are fixed at four corners of the bottom panel 1g of the case 1, and form a gap between the bottom panel 1g and an upper surface of a suitable plate board member 8. The inner space of the case 1 and a space defined between the suitable board member and the bottom panel 1g as a whole constitute a predetermined space. The retractable wire-holder 6 has a generally T-shaped configuration, and is constituted by a relatively narrow boss portion 6a and a relatively wide leading portion 6b merged into the boss portion 6a. In this instance, the retractable wire-holder 6 is formed of plastic or metal. As will be better seen from Fig. 2, the boss portion 6a has a small aperture, and a plastic rivet 6c is fixed through the small aperture to the bottom panel 1g. As a result, the retractable wire-holder 6 is turnable around the plastic rivet 6c, and is moved into and out of the space between the bottom panel 1g and the suitable board member 8. While the controller is standing idle, the retractable wire-holder 6 is taken out from the space as indicated by real line, and the flexible wire 5 is wound around the boss portion 6a of the retractable wire-holder 6 as shown in Fig. 1. The leading portion 6b does not allow the wound flexible wire 5 to escape from the boss portion 6a. Therefore, the flexible wire 5 is held on the rear panel 1b, and does not tumble a person down. On the other hand, when the controller is powered for use, the flexible wire 5 is loosen, and is extended from the rear panel 1b. The plug unit 5a is plugged into the socket 7, and electric power is supplied to the print board 4. The wire-holder 6 is moved into the position indicated by a broken line in Fig. 2, and is retracted into the space between the bottom panel 1g and the suitable board member 8. Therefore, the wire-holder is not eyesore, and the controller can be placed on the board member 8 as close to a wall as possible. Thus, the controller according to the present invention occupies smaller amount of area rather than the prior art electric unit, and the retracted wire-holder enhances the external appearance of the tuner. Second Embodiment Turning to Fig. 3 of the drawings, another retractable wire-holder 11 embodying the present invention is pivotally connected with a bottom panel 12 of an electric unit, and a flexible wire 13 is held by the retractable wire-holder. The retractable wire-holder 11 is formed from a rectangular plate member, and two large apertures 11a and 11b are formed in the rectangular plate member. The two apertures 11a and 11b are open to a side edge of the rectangular plate member, and allows the flexible wire 13 to pass therethrough. For this reason, the flexible wire 13 can get caught in the retractable wire-holder 11 while the electric unit is standing idle. When the electric unit is used, the flexible wire 13 is untied from the retractable wire-holder 11, and supplies electric power from an external source to a circuit component housed in the case. While the flexible wire is supplying the electric power, the wire-holder 11 is retracted into a space beneath the bottom panel 12. The retractable wire-holder thus arranged also decreases the occupation area of the electric unit without deterioration of the external appearance. Third Embodiment Turning to Fig. 4 of the drawings, yet another retractable wire-holder 21 embodying the present invention is pivotally supported by a bottom panel 22 of a case of an electric unit. The retractable wire-holder 21 has a boss portion 21a connected by means of a plastic rivet 21b with the bottom panel 22 and a ring portion 22c retractable into a space beneath the bottom panel 22. While a flexible wire 23 is not powering the electric unit, the flexible wire 23 can get caught in the ring portion 22c projecting from the space. On the other hand, the wire-holder 21 is retracted into the space while the flexible wire is supplying electric power to the electric unit. Therefore, all of the advantages of the retractable wire-holder 6 are also achieved by the retractable wire-holder 21 implementing the third embodiment. As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the retracted wire-holder according to the present invention allows the electric unit to occupy a small amount of area, and the wire-holder projecting from the rear panel does not deteriorate the external appearance of the electric unit. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, the retractable wire-holder according to the present invention is employable in any electric unit powered from an external power source such as, for example, an audio-tuner or a desk/ knee top computer system. Moreover, the retractable wire-holder may be slide into and from a space beneath the bottom panel of an electric unit, and may be retracted into an inner space of a case.

Claims: An electric unit powered by an external power source (7), comprising: a case (1) housing electric components (2/ 3/ 4) therein, and having a front surface (1a) and a rear surface (1b); a flexible wire (5; 13; 23) adapted to be plugged into said external power source for supplying electrical power to said electric components; and a wire holder (6; 11; 21) adapted to project from said rear surface for holding said flexible wire, characterized in that said wire holder is retractable into a predetermined space occupied by said case. The electric unit as set forth in claim 1, in which said wire holder (6; 11; 21) is pivotally connected with a bottom panel of said case. The electric unit as set forth in claim 1, in which said wire holder (6) has a narrow boss portion (6a) pivotally connected with a bottom panel (1g) of said case and a wide leading end portion (6b) laterally projecting from said boss portion. The electric unit as set forth in claim 1, in which said wire holder (11) has apertures (11a/ 11b) open to an side edge thereof for allowing said flexible wire to get caught therein. The electric unit as set forth in claim 1, in which said wire holder (21) has a boss portion (21a) pivotally connected with a bottom panel (22) of said case and a ring portion (22c) contiguous to said boss portion.

Inventors: MIZUGUCHI MASAAKI, NOGUCHI YOSHITAKA, MIZUGUCHI, MASAAKI, NOGUCHI, YOSHITAKA, MIZUGUCHI, MASAAKI, C/O YAMAHA CORPORATION, NOGUCHI, YOSHITAKA, C/O YAMAHA CORPORATION
Applicants: YAMAHA CORP, YAMAHA CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13, H05K7