Retractor cord assemblies for carried articles

• US 9,104,377 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Edward Ringel, Richard J. Rekuc, Steven J. Rekuc
• Original Assignee: David Edward Ringel, Richard J. Rekuc, Steven J. Rekuc
• Inventors: Rekuc, Richard J., Rekuc, Steven J., Ringel, David Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): LARSON, JUSTIN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US14/216,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20140198442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 224/578, 224/579, 224/162, 150/108, 361/679.59, 242/388, 242/388.6, 242/400.1, 242/388.91
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 carry case for a portable electronic device, 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;

a length of 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;

wherein said handle and said spline have magnetically-attractive elements embedded therein for securing said handle there against.

2. A carry case for a portable electronic device, comprising:

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

a retractor assembly including an elongate housing having a hole at each end, a first retractor mechanism and a second retractor mechanism both secured inside said housing each at a respective end, said housing being secured inside said clamshell enclosure and extending along said spline;

ultra-high-molecular-weight round braided micro-fine line of at least 100 pound test strength connected to both of said first and second retractor mechanisms, exiting said retractor housing through said holes and extending exteriorly around the spline of said clamshell enclosure, 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.

3. The carry case according to claim 2, wherein said first retractor mechanism is housed on one side of said elongate housing comprises a first pair of pulleys attached at opposing ends of said housing, and said second retractor mechanism is housed on another side of said housing comprises a second pair of pulleys attached at opposing ends of said housing.

4. The carry case according to claim 2, wherein the clamshell enclosure includes a recess in one of said upper flap portion, lower flap portion or spline, and said handle seats flush within said recess.

5. A carry case for a portable electronic device to be carried, comprising:

an enclosure for said portable electronic device to be carried, said enclosure having two ends and a spline extending between said two ends;

an elongate retractor housing attached inside said enclosure and extending end-to-end along said spline; and

a first retractor assembly contained within said retractor housing and including a first pulley attached at one end of said housing and a second pulley attached via a first extension spring to another end of said housing;

a second retractor assembly contained within said retractor housing and including a third pulley attached at one end of said housing and a fourth pulley attached via a second extension spring to another end of said housing;

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

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

6. The carry case according to claim 5, 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 said spline, and a frame for said tablet computing device hingedly attached medially to one of said flaps.

7. The carry case according to claim 6, 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.

8. The carry case according to claim 6, further comprising a keyboard hingedly connected to the other of said flaps for folding out.

9. The carry case according to claim 6, wherein said keyboard is a Bluetooth keyboard.

10. The carry case according to claim 6, 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.

11. The carry case according to claim 10, 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.