Attachable extendable and retractable earpiece and protective casing assembly for mobile communication and sound devices

• US 9,237,396 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2014
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Kroupa
• Original Assignee: Robert Kroupa
• Inventors: Kroupa, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson, Justin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanterpool, Lester L
• Application Number:
  US14/323,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20140314266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 224/162, 224/191, 224/930, 242/396, 206/320, 381/384
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/004 with an automatic spring reel
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/04 for coils of wire, rope or hose
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4431 Manual stop or release button
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/446 for releasably or permanently attaching the frame to a wall, on a floor or on a post or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/486 Arrangements or adaptations of the spring motor
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• 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

Abstract

An extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly for mobile communication or sound devices including a reel housing integrally formed with or detachably connected to a casing for protecting a mobile electronic device. The reel housing includes a reel mechanism around which the earpiece cables are removably wound. The reel housing includes a flexible wall that is located adjacent an actuator in the reel housing, the actuator operable to retract the earpiece cables Into the reel housing. The earpiece cables are extendable from and retractable into the reel housing. Each of the earpiece cables have one end attached to an earpiece and each of the earpiece cables have a second end attached to a connector plug to electrically connect the earpieces to the mobile electronic device. The casing or fee reel housing also supports a carrying clip that allows a user to attach the mobile communication or sound device and earpiece assembly to an article of clothing or other accessory item supported by the user. In other embodiments, the position of the carrying clip changes to accommodate the locations of particular input and output ports on the mobile electronic device.

Claims

1. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports and at least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatus comprising:

a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device while having an aperture that permits access to the at least one electronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device;

an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly including at least one earpiece cable and a mechanism around which the at least one earpiece cable is wound, the at least one earpiece cable being extendable from and retractable into the protective apparatus;

a housing defined by a generally annular sidewall;

wherein the generally annular sidewall is integrally formed in one piece with a generally planar portion of a posterior wall of the casing, and wherein the housing receives the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly from an interior side of the casing and faces toward and is disposed rearward of a rear surface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device;

each of the at least one earpiece cable having a first end attached to an earpiece and a second end electrically connected to a connector plug that is electrically connected to an output port of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; and

the casing, the housing, and the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly forming an integrated assembly to be used and stored by a user when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device.

2. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing is made of a pliable material.

3. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing further comprises rubber or plastic material.

4. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly further comprises a stopper and release assembly that alternately prevents rewinding of the at least one earpiece cable.

5. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly releasably maintains the at least one earpiece cable in an extended position relative to the reel housing.

6. The protective apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a release actuator that when engaged allows retraction of the at least one earpiece cable.

7. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly includes two earpiece cables.

8. The protective apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening in the generally annular sidewall through which the at least one earpiece cable extends from and retracts into the housing.

9. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports and at least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatus comprising:

a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device while having an aperture permitting access to the at least one electronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device;

a housing defined by a generally annular sidewall;

wherein the generally annular sidewall is integrally formed in one piece with and disposed along a planar surface of a posterior wall of said casing, the planar surface disposed rearward of a rear surface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device;

an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly that is received into the housing from an interior side of the casing and including at least one earpiece cable and a mechanism around which the at least one earpiece cable is wound, the at least one earpiece cable being extendable from and retractable into the housing;

wherein when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device to be used and stored by the user, the casing is attached to the rear of the mobile electronic device and is tightly and removably attached around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device, and the casing, the housing and the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly form an integrated assembly with each of the at least one earpiece cable having a first end attached to an earpiece and a second end electrically connected to an output port of said mobile electronic device.

10. The protective apparatus of claim 9, wherein the casing further comprises pliable material.

11. The protective apparatus of claim 9, wherein the casing further comprises rubber material.

12. The protective apparatus of claim 9, wherein the casing further comprises plastic material.

13. The protective apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one opening in the generally annular sidewall through which the at least one earpiece cable extends from and retracts into the housing.