# US 8,783,531 B2 · Attachable extendable and retractable earpiece and protective casing assembly for mobile communication and sound devices

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- Number: US 8,783,531 B2
- Document ID: US8783531B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/708,695
- Filed: 2010-02-19
- Published: 2011-08-25
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-02-19
- Applicants: Robert Kroupa
- Inventors: Robert Kroupa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783531B2

## CPC

- A45F 5/004: {with an automatic spring reel}
- 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)
- A45C 13/002: {Protective covers}
- A45F 5/021: {to the belt}
- B65D 85/04: for coils of wire, rope or hose
- B65H 75/4431: {Manual stop or release button}
- B65H 75/446: {for releasably or permanently attaching the frame to a wall, on a floor or on a post or the like}
- B65H 75/486: {Arrangements or adaptations of the spring motor}
- H02G 11/02: using take-up reel or drum
- H04B 1/3888: Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
- 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)}
- A45C 11/001: {for storing portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or digital music players}
- A45C 11/002: {for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones}
- A45F 5/1516: {Holders or carriers for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones}
- B65H 2701/34: electric cords or electric power cables
- A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H04B: TRANSMISSION
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)

## 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 the 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

### Claim 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, said protective apparatus comprising:
a. a pliable material protective casing having internal dimensions substantially the same as the external dimensions of the mobile electronic device, said casing adapted to snap onto and fit tightly around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device and having an aperture for the electronic screen display;
b. a reel housing mounted on a posterior planar surface of said casing, said posterior planar surface adapted to be located opposite a rear surface of the device;
c. the reel housing and casing providing a single integrated assembly ready for use when the casing engages the mobile device;
d. an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly located in said reel housing;
e. said extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly including at least one earpiece cable, and a reel mechanism around which said at least one earpiece cable is removably wound, said at least one earpiece cable being extendable from and retractable into said reel housing;
f. said reel housing having at least one aperture corresponding to the location where said at least one earpiece cable extends from and retracts into said reel housing;
g. each of said at least one earpiece cables having a first end attached to an earpiece;
h. each of said at least one earpiece cables having a second end electrically connected to a connector plug, said connector plug adapted to be electrically connected to an output port of said mobile electronic device; and
i. the casing including additional apertures adapted to correspond to the locations of the input and output ports of the mobile electronic device, and one location of the at least one electronic screen display; and (j) said single integrated assembly of said reel housing and casing, and said reel mechanism, and said at least one earpiece cable forming a single unit to be used and stored by a user when said casing is attached to the rear of the mobile communications device, said single unit adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of said mobile communications device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reel housing is integrally formed with said casing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reel housing is removably attached to said casing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The protective apparatus of claim 2, wherein:
said reel housing has a flexible posterior wall;
said reel mechanism has a stopper and release assembly that alternately allows rotation of said reel mechanism and prevents rotation of said reel mechanism;
said stopper and release assembly including an actuator, said actuator located adjacent said flexible posterior wall of said reel housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reel mechanism includes a stopper and release arm operatively connected to a release button;
the stopper and release arm is pivotally moveable into and out of engagement with a rotatable portion of said reel mechanism;
said reel housing having a flexible anterior wall portion adjacent said release button, said release button actuating said stopper and release arm when pressure is applied to said flexible posterior wall portion of said reel housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reel mechanism permits said at least one earpiece cable to remain in an extendable position relative to the reel housing when said at least one earpiece is in use.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reel mechanism retracts said at least one earpiece cable into said reel housing when said at least one earpiece is not in use.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The protective apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
at least one mounting bracket is connected to said casing; and
said reel housing includes at least one attachment assembly adapted to mate with said at least one mounting bracket to removably mount said reel housing on said casing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The protective apparatus of claim 8, wherein:
said at least one mounting bracket comprises two opposed brackets extending from said casing, each said bracket including an aperture; and
said at least one attachment assembly includes a pair of opposed moveable pin assemblies, each pin assembly having a pin adapted to extend into a corresponding aperture when said reel housing is attached to said casing.

### Claim 10

A protective apparatus for a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports and at least one electronic screen display, said protective apparatus comprising:
a. a pliable material protective casing having internal dimensions substantially the same as the external dimensions of all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device, said casing adapted to snap onto and fit tightly around the mobile electronic device and having an aperture for the electronic screen display;
b. a reel housing mounted on a planar surface of said casing, said planar surface adapted to be located opposite a rear surface of the device;
c. the reel housing and casing providing a single integrated assembly ready for use when the casing engages the mobile device;
d. an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly located in said reel housing;
e. said extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly including at least one earpiece cable, and a reel mechanism around which said at least one earpiece cable is removably wound, said at least one earpiece cable being extendable from and retractable into said reel housing;
f. said reel housing having at least one aperture corresponding to the location where said at least one earpiece cable extends from and retracts into said reel housing;
g. each of said at least one earpiece cables having a first end attached to an earpiece;
h. each of said at least one earpiece cables having a second end electrically connected to a connector plug, said connector plug adapted to be electrically connected to an output port of said mobile electronic device; and
i. the casing including additional apertures adapted to correspond to the locations of the input and output ports of the mobile electronic device, and one location of the at least one electronic screen display; and
(j) said single integrated assembly of said reel housing and casing, and said reel mechanism, and said at least one earpiece cable forming a single unit to be used and stored by a user when said casing is attached to the rear of the mobile communications device, said single unit adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of said mobile communications device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is one of a pliable plastic and a pliable rubber.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The protective apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pliable material is one of a pliable plastic and a pliable rubber.