RETRACTOR CORD ASSEMBLIES FOR CARRIED ARTICLES

• US 20140198442A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Edward Ringel, Rekuc, Steven J., Richard J. Rekuc
• Original Assignee: David Edward Ringel, Rekuc, Steven J., Richard J. Rekuc
• Inventors: Rekuc, Richard J., Ringel, David Edward, Rekuc, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,104,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/26 Special adaptations of handles A45C13/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/142 Carrying-straps
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0525 Personal portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/02 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of one strap passing over the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/004 with an automatic spring reel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/368 with pulleys
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard

Abstract

A low-profile retractable cord system in which a line is attached to a pair of retractor mechanisms located in the sides of an article to be carried (such as a briefcase, a purse, a handbag, suitcase, tote, bag, knapsack, sports bag, gym bag, etc.). The line is high-tensile braided line threaded out through eyelets which are offset inwardly and downwardly from the upper corners of the article to be carried. This way, the line and shoulder pad attached thereto lie flat along the carried article. Various retractor mechanisms are shown, including an opposed pair of coil-spring-biased reels, opposed independent pulley mechanisms, or a common pulley mechanism. An alternate embodiment employs a single retractor mechanism and line for a single loop-handle is also shown.

Claims

1. A retractable strap system for a container to be carried, comprising:

a partially enclosed retractor housing having a first end and a second end, said retractor housing having an aperture entering said first end and an aperture entering said second end;

a first retractor mechanism housed in said retractor housing and including a first pulley attached at said first end of said housing and a second pulley attached via a first extension spring to the second end of said housing; and

a second retractor mechanism housed said retractor housing and including a third pulley attached at said second end of said housing and a fourth pulley attached via a second extension spring to the first end of said housing;

microfine line of substantially circular cross-section wound about all of said first, second, third and fourth pulleys of both said first and second retractor mechanisms, and exiting said retractor housing through said first and second apertures;

a handle suspended by said microfine polymer line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against one side of said container to be carried, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

2. The retractable cord system according to claim 1, wherein said microfine line comprises braided filaments.

3. The retractable cord system according to claim 1, wherein said microfine line comprises monofilament.

4. The retractable strap system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second retractor mechanisms are pre-calibrated with a spring bias within a range of from 1-20 Newtons relative to said article to be carried to maintain said article suspended in said extended position when worn about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

5. The retractable strap system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second retractor mechanisms further comprises a pulley spool rotatably carried on an axle within a yoke

6. The retractable strap system according to claim 1, wherein said retractor housing comprises a first chamber partitioned from a second chamber by a dividing wall, said first retractor mechanism being housed in said first chamber and said second retractor mechanism being housed in said second chamber.

7. The retractable strap system according to claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a magnetic element for maintaining said handle flush against said container to be carried.

8. A retractable strap system for an article to be carried, comprising:

a pair of retractor mechanisms both mounted internally of said article to be carried and each attached on one side of said article to be carried, and each further comprising,

a disk-shaped housing defined by an aperture entering said housing;

a spool rotatably mounted inside said housing;

a spiral spring contained within said disk-shaped housing and engaged to said spool and biasing said spool against rotation; and

microfine line formed of braided filaments in a substantially circular cross-section wound about the spools of said retractor mechanisms and exiting said disk-shaped housings through said apertures;

a handle suspended by said microfine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against one side of said article to be carried, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

9. The retractable cord system according to claim 8, wherein said microfine line comprises braided fibers.

10. The retractable cord system according to claim 8, wherein each of said pair of retractor mechanisms is calibrated with a spring bias within a range of from 1-20 Newtons relative to said article to be carried to maintain said article suspended in said extended position when worn about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

11. A carry case, comprising:

a clamshell enclosure including an upper flap portion hingedly connected to a lower flap portion along a spline; and

a retractor assembly including a first retractor mechanism and a second retractor mechanism;

micro-fine line connected to both of said first and second retractor mechanisms, and

a handle suspended by said micro-fine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush across and against said carry case, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

12. The carry case according to claim 11, wherein each said retractor mechanisms further comprises a disk-shaped housing defined by an aperture entering said housing, a spool rotatably mounted inside said housing, and a spiral spring contained within said disk-shaped housing and engaged to said spool and biasing said spool against rotation.

13. The carry case according to claim 11, wherein said retractor assembly further comprises an elongate housing, a first retractor mechanism housed on one side of said elongate housing and including a first pair of pulleys attached at opposing ends of said housing, and a second retractor mechanism housed on another side of said housing and including a second pair of pulleys attached at opposing ends of said housing.

14. The carry case according to claim 11, wherein said micro-fine line comprises braided fibers.

15. The carry case according to claim 12, wherein each of said retractor mechanisms are attached to opposing corners of said clamshell enclosure and are pivotally mounted to rotate relative to said clamshell enclosure.

16. The carry case according to claim 15, wherein the rotation of each of said retractor mechanisms is limited to a predetermined number of degrees.

17. The carry case according to claim 11, wherein the clamshell enclosure is defined by a recess in one of said upper flap portion, lower flap portion or spline, and said handle seats flush within said recess.

18. The carry case according to claim 17, wherein said handle and said recess have magnetically-attractive elements embedded therein for securing said handle therein.

19. The carry case according to claim 18, wherein said handle and said spline have magnetically-attractive elements embedded therein for securing said handle there against.

20. The carry case according to claim 11, wherein each of said retractor mechanisms is calibrated with a spring bias within a range of from 1-20 Newtons relative to said tablet computer to maintain it suspended in said extended position when worn about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

21. A carry case for an article to be carried, comprising:

an enclosure for said article to be carried; and

a first retractor assembly including a housing affixed inside said article and a first retractor mechanism mounted in said housing;

a first length of micro-fine line connected at one end to said first retractor mechanism, and

a handle attached to another end of said micro-fine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against said enclosure, and an extended position.

22. The carry case according to claim 21, further comprising:

a second retractor assembly including a second retractor mechanism mounted in said housing;

a second length of micro-fine line connected to said second retractor mechanism, and

a handle suspended between said first length and second length of micro-fine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against said carry case, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder.

23. The carry case according to claim 22, wherein said housing comprises an elongate housing, said first retractor mechanism being housed on one side of said elongate housing and including a first pulley attached at a first end of said housing and a second pulley attached via an extension spring to a second end of said housing, and said second retractor mechanism being housed on another side of said housing and including a third pulley attached at said second end of said housing and a fourth pulley attached via an extension spring to said first side of said housing.

24. The carry case according to claim 22, wherein said enclosure for said article to be carried comprises a clamshell enclosure for a tablet computing device having an upper flap portion hingedly connected to a lower flap portion along a spline, said housing being attached along said spline, and a frame for said tablet computing device hingedly attached medially to a distal edge of one of said flaps.

25. The carry case according to claim 24, further comprising a pair of opposing magnetic members, one of said magnetic member being affixed interiorly of the one of said flaps to which said frame is attached and the other of said pair of magnetic members being attached to a backside of said frame.

26. The carry case according to claim 24, further comprising a keyboard hingedly connected to the other of said flaps for folding out.

27. The carry case according to claim 24, wherein said keyboard is hingedly connected along an edge to said other flap to thereby remain stowed fully upside down inside the carry case when in a first position but folded out rightside up to a second position for use.

28. The carry case according to claim 24, wherein said keyboard is a Bluetooth keyboard.

29. The carry case according to claim 27, wherein when said keyboard is folded out rightside up to said second position for use it also provides a leaning stop for said tablet computing device.