Patent US3628842A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5422957A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5422957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable take-up for earphones
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-01-18
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Granted: 1995-06-06
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Expires: 2014-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A cable take-up includes a cylindrical case and a plug mechanically attached to the case and extending axially from the case. Within the case, a cable is wound onto a rotating spool biased by a spring to retract the cable. A ratchet prevents the cable from retracting and a release for the ratchet is accessible from outside of the case. The cable preferably is a flat ribbon of Kevlar® plastic having several wires embedded therein. One end of the cable is connected to earpieces and the other end of the cable is connected to the plug through a commutator. The commutator includes a first disk having resilient, conductive contacts attached to the plug and a second, rotating disk having concentric, conductive stripes attached to the cable and rubbing on the conductive contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Cummins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/38; B65H75/44; B65H75/4418; B65H75/4428; B65H75/4431; H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/10; H04R1/1033; H04R1/1016; H04R5/00; H04R5/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A cable take-up for connecting headphones to an entertainment device, said take-up comprising: a spindle having a predetermined length between two ends; a hollow case having two ends and a hole in each of said ends for receiving said spindle and radially locating said spindle; said spindle including a collar and a disk attached to said spindle between the ends of said spindle; a commutator mounted on said spindle adjacent said collar and spaced from said disk by said collar; a flat cable including at least two electrical wires, said cable wound around said collar between said commutator and said disk, wherein said cable is electrically connected to said commutator; a spring attached to said spindle and to said case for rotating said spindle in a first direction to cause said cable to wind onto said spindle, said spring wound on said spindle on the opposite side of said disk from said cable; an electrical plug mechanically connected to said case and electrically connected to said commutator, said electrical plug being adapted to fit said entertainment device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A cable take-up for connecting headphones to an entertainment device, said take-up comprising: a spindle having a predetermined length between two ends; a hollow case having two ends and a hole in each of said ends for receiving said spindle and radially locating said spindle; said spindle including a collar and a disk attached to said spindle between the ends of said spindle; a commutator mounted on said spindle adjacent said collar and spaced from said disk by said collar; a flat cable including at least two electrical wires, said cable wound around said collar between said commutator and said disk, wherein said cable is electrically connected to said commutator; a spring attached to said spindle and to said case for rotating said spindle in a first direction to cause said cable to wind onto said spindle, said spring wound on said spindle on the opposite side of said disk from said cable; an electrical plug mechanically connected to said case and electrically connected to said commutator, said electrical plug being adapted to fit said entertainment device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cable take-up as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cable includes a Kevlar® ribbon and said wires are embedded in said ribbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable take-up as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collar and disk are an integral part of said spindle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cable take-up as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: means for preventing said spindle from rotating in said first direction and permitting said spindle to rotate in a second direction, opposite to said first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable take-up as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: at least one earphone electrically connected to said wires.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-05 | 1998-12-05 | 1999-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-05 | 2002-12-05 | 2003-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-05 | 2006-12-05 | 2007-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |