Electrical cord retractor

An electrical cord retractor for use with an electrical cord already possessed by the user of the retractor, the retractor comprising:

• a closed hollow case separate from any apparatus with which an electrical cord may be used, the closed case containing no electrical cord,
• winder means within the case rotatable with respect to the case,
• a spring within the case for constantly urging rotation of the winder means in one direction with respect to the case,
• latch means within the case for preventing rotation of the winder means when the spring is tensioned, the latch means including a toothed wheel rotatable with the winder means, and a detent of springy material adapted to engage the teeth of the wheel to prevent rotation thereof,
• manually-operable means for releasing the latch, said means including a single actuator element slidable with respect to the case, one end of the actuator being adjacent to the detent and the other end being exposed on the exterior of the case, the actuator being slidable in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the winder for engaging the detent and causing disengagement between the detent and the toothed wheel,
• the case including a base and a cover,
• means for releasably securing the cover to the base so that the case can be opened at will to permit an electrical cord to be wound upon the winder means, after which the case can be reclosed, and
• passageway means in the closed case through which an electrical cord can pass rom the winder means within the case to the exterior of the case for connection to an apparatus independent of the case,
• the passageway means being so formed that an electrical cord extending from the winder means can be inserted into the passageway means as the case is closed.