Vehicular retractable cable systems

• US 8,137,129 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Woods, Don Lenere
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US12/850,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20120034816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 439/501, 439/4, 191/12.4
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A vehicular retractable cable system may include a housing and a cable assembly including a retract assembly with associated retractable cable. The cable has extended and retracted positions. A position setting assembly is associated with the cable assembly. The position setting assembly has a retract button, wherein when the cable is in an extended position and upon activation of the retract button, the cable moves toward the retracted position.

Claims

1. A vehicular retractable cable system comprising:

(a) a cable assembly comprising a retract assembly with associated retractable cable, the cable having extended and retracted positions; and

(b) a position setting assembly associated with the cable assembly, the position setting assembly including a retract button and a catch lever actuated by the retract button, wherein upon a first activation of the retract button, the cable is free to move towards one of the extended position or the retracted position, and upon a second activation of the retract button, the catch lever locks the cable into one of a plurality of incrementally extending positions between the extended position and the retracted position and prevents the cable from extending or retracting.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the extended position and upon activation of the retract button, the cable moves toward the retracted position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the retracted position and upon activation of the retract button, the cable moves toward the extended position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein when the retract button is activated twice, the cable is placed in a stationary position so that a desired length of retractable cable can be achieved.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the retractable cable has a first end coupled to a vehicular entertainment system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the retractable cable has a second end having a plug secured thereto, said plug configured to prevent the cable from fully retracting into the housing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the retract assembly is spring-driven.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the retract assembly is motor-driven.

9. A vehicular retractable cable system comprising:

(a) a cable assembly comprising a retract assembly with associated retractable cable, the cable having extended and retracted positions;

(b) a position setting assembly associated with the cable assembly, the position setting assembly having a retract button and a catch lever actuated by the retract button;

wherein when the cable is in the extended position and upon a first activation of the retract button, the catch lever locks the cable into one of a plurality of incremental extending positions between the extended position and the retracted position, and prevents the cable from extending or retracting, and upon a second activation of the retract button, the cable is pulled towards the retracted position.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the retractable cable has a first end coupled to a vehicular entertainment system.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the retractable cable has a second end having a plug secured thereto, said plug configured to prevent the cable from fully retracting into the housing.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the retract assembly is spring-driven.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the retract assembly is motor-driven.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a housing structure having an opening;

a vehicular retractable cable system comprising;

a housing located in the opening;

a cable assembly comprising a retract assembly in the housing associated retractable cable, the cable having extended and retracted positions; and

a position setting assembly associated with the cable assembly, the position setting assembly having a retract button and a catch lever actuated by the retract button;

wherein when the cable is in the extended position and upon a first activation of the retract button, the catch lever locks the cable into one of a plurality of incremental extending positions between the extended position and the retracted position, and prevents the cable from extending or retracting; and

upon a second activation of the retract button, the cable is pulled towards the retracted position and the housing structure.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the retractable cable has a first end coupled to a vehicular entertainment system.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the retractable cable has a second end having a plug secured thereto, said plug configured to prevent the cable from fully retracting into the housing.

17. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the retract assembly is spring-driven.

18. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the retract assembly is motor-driven.