Retractable cord assembly with electric switch integrally associated with rotatable reel housing member

Claim 2

A remote control system for permitting the remote control of electrical devices comprising: a stationary housing; a rotatable switch positioned on one side of said housing; a rotatable base plate including electrical conductor means positioned on the other side of said stationary housing and electrically connected to said switch; and coupling means joining said base plate for rotation with said switch; an elongate electrical control cord for coupling said remote control system to an electrical device to be controlled, said cord having a free end adapted for electrical connection to said controlled device and further having a terminal end permanently affixed for rotation with said rotatable base plate, the terminal end of said cord further being electrically connected to said conductor means provided on said base; plate; and means to rotate said switch and base plate in unison with respect to said housing to retract said cord within said housing; whereby said rotation of said base plate and said switch in unison with respect to said stationary housing permits the operation of said switch at any location of said cord without relative rotation between said base plate conductor means, and said switch.

Claim 3

A remote control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stationary housing includes a switch recess, and wherein said switch is positioned for rotation within said recess.

Claim 4

A remote control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means to rotate said switch and base plate in unison comprises a rotatable cover plate positioned in spaced relationship with respect to said base plate and joined for rotation therewith so that said cord is retracted between said base plate and said cover plate.

Claim 5

A remote control system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rotatable base plate includes strain relief means which secure the cord adjacent the terminal end thereof to relieve the strain on said cord and the electrical connection between said cord and said conductor means during the movement of said cord.

Claim 6

A remote control system for use in activating an electrical device from a remote location, said system comprising: a stationary generally cylindrical housing including an axially extending hub member; a switch rotatably mounted on said housing; a base member positioned within said housing; axle means extending through said hub member and joining said base member for rotation in unison with said switch; first electrical conductor means joined to said base member for rotation with said base member and said switch; second electrical conductor means rotatable with said switch and said base member and coupling said switch to said first conductor means; an elongated cord havIng a free end adapted to electrically couple said remote control system to an external electrical device to be controlled, and further having a terminal end connected for rotation with said base member and electrically coupled to said first conductor means; and means to rotate said switch and base member in unison with respect to said housing; said cord being arranged within said housing so that rotation of said base member retracts said cord within said housing while simultaneously rotating said switch, base member and first and second conductor means, whereby the remote control system permits the operation of said switch at a plurality of locations for said cord without substantial relative movement between said switch and terminal end of said cord, and the electrical continuity of said remote control system is readily maintained.

Claim 7

A remote control system for use in activating an electrical device from a remote location, said system comprising: a stationary generally cylindrical housing including an axially extending hub member; a switch rotatably mounted on said housing; a base member positioned within said housing; axle means extending through said hub member and joining said base member for rotation in unison with said switch; first electrical conductor means joined to said base member for rotation with said base member and said switch; second electrical conductor means rotatable with said switch and said base member and coupling said switch to said first conductor means; an elongated cord havIng a free end adapted to electrically couple said remote control system to an external electrical device to be controlled, and further having a terminal end connected for rotation with said base member and electrically coupled to said first conductor means; and means to rotate said switch and base member in unison with respect to said housing; said cord being arranged within said housing so that rotation of said base member retracts said cord within said housing while simultaneously rotating said switch, base member and first and second conductor means, whereby the remote control system permits the operation of said switch at a plurality of locations for said cord without substantial relative movement between said switch and terminal end of said cord, and the electrical continuity of said remote control system is readily maintained.

Claim 8

A remote control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means to rotate said base member comprises a rotatable cover plate positioned in spaced relationship with respect to said base member and joined for rotation therewith so that said cord retracts between said base member and said cover plate.

Claim 9

A remote control system for permitting the remote control of electrical devices comprising: a stationary housing; a rotatable switch positioned on one side of said housing; a rotatable base member positioned on the other side of said housing; coupling means joining said base member for rotation with said switch; an elongate electrical control cord for electrically coupling said remote control system to an electrical device to be controlled, said cord having a free end adopted for electrical connection to said control device and further having a terminal end permanently affixed for rotation with said rotatable base member; conductor means rotatable with said switch and said base member and electrically coupling said switch to said terminal end of said cord; and means to rotate said switch and base member in unison with respect to said housing to retract said cord within said housing; so that said rotation of said switch, said conductor means and said base member in unison permits operation of said switch at any location of said cord without relative rotation between said switch, conductor means and base member.

Claim 10

A remote control system for permitting the remote control of electrical devices comprising: a stationary housing; a rotatable switch positioned on one side of said housing; a rotatable base member positioned on the other side of said housing; coupling means joining said base member for rotation with said switch; an elongate electrical control cord for electrically coupling said remote control system to an electrical device to be controlled, said cord having a free end adopted for electrical connection to said control device and further having a terminal end permanently affixed for rotation with said rotatable base member; conductor means rotatable with said switch and said base member and electrically coupling said switch to said terminal end of said cord; and means to rotate said switch and base member in unison with respect to said housing to retract said cord within said housing; so that said rotation of said switch, said conductor means and said base member in unison permits operation of said switch at any location of said cord without relative rotation between said switch, conductor means and base member.