Low-profile, retractable earbud storage system

• US 8,284,980 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PC Treasures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Parker, Matthew D., William S. Parker
• Inventors: Parker, Matthew D., Parker, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni, Suhan
• Application Number:
  US12/434,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20110170732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/374, 381379-380, 381383-384
• US Class Current: 381/384
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's

Abstract

A low-profile, retractable ear-bud system is adapted for attachment to a portable electronic device such as an MP3 music player. The system comprises a housing within which there is disposed wiring having a proximal end in electrical communication with the portable electronic device and a distal end terminating in a pair of ear-buds. The wiring is wound on a spring-biased spool disposed within the housing, the spool having at least a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use of the ear-buds. In the preferred embodiment, the wiring is wound on the spring-biased spool in a single pancake-style layer. The proximal end of the wiring is in electrical communication with the portable electronic device preferably through a multi-conductor slip ring.

Claims

1. A low-profile, retractable ear-bud system adapted for attachment to an existing portable electronic device having a peripheral outline and an audio output, comprising:

a housing having a peripheral edge corresponding to the peripheral outline of the portable electronic device, thereby enabling the housing to be mounted onto the portable electronic device;

wiring having a proximal end adapted for electrical connection to the audio output of the portable electronic device and a distal end terminating in a pair of ear-buds; and

a spring-biased spool upon which the wiring is wound, the spool having at least a retracted position for storage of the ear-buds and an extended position for use of the ear-buds.

2. The ear-bud system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the wiring is in electrical communication with the portable electronic device through a multi-conductor slip ring.

3. The ear-bud system of claim 1, wherein the wiring is wound on the spring-biased spool in a single pancake-style layer.

4. The ear-bud system of claim 1, wherein the housing uses a surface of the portable electronic device as a housing wall to achieve a slim profile.

5. A low-profile, retractable ear-bud system adapted for attachment to an existing portable electronic device having a peripheral outline and an audio output, comprising:

a housing having a peripheral edge corresponding to the peripheral outline of the portable electronic device, thereby enabling the housing to be mounted onto the portable electronic device;

wiring having a proximal end adapted for electrical connection to the portable electronic device and a distal end terminating in a pair of ear-buds;

a spring-biased spool upon which the wiring is wound, the spool having at least a retracted position for storage of the ear buds and an extended position for use of the ear-buds; and

wherein the wiring on the spool is in electrical communication with the proximal end of the wiring through a multi-conductor slip ring.

6. The ear-bud system of claim 5, wherein the wiring is wound on the spring-biased spool in a single pancake-style layer.

7. The ear-bud system of claim 5, wherein the housing uses a surface of the portable electronic device as a housing wall to achieve a slim profile.