# US 9,049,782 B2 · Mobile device case with retractor reel assembly for user-provided headphones > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,049,782 B2 - Document ID: US9049782B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/319,821 - Filed: 2014-06-30 - Published: 2014-10-23 - Granted: 2015-06-02 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-03 - Assignees: Scott Koenig - Applicants: Scott Koenig - Inventors: Scott Koenig; David Conroy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9049782B2 ## CPC - H05K 5/0247: {Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring} - B65H 75/4431: {Manual stop or release button} - B65H 75/4449: {Arrangements or adaptations to avoid movable contacts or rotary couplings, e.g. by the use of an expansion chamber for a lenght of the cord or hose} - H02G 11/02: using take-up reel or drum - H04M 1/15: Protecting or guiding telephone cords - 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)} - H05K 5/0217: {Mechanical details of casings (covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03)} - B65H 2701/3919: USB, earphones, audio or video cables, e.g. for connecting small electronic devices such as MP3 players or mobile telephones - H01R 13/72: Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - 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 - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - 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) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A mobile device case includes a reel assembly, including a reel, a supporting plate, and a hub between the reel and the supporting plate. The hub includes a first cavity between the hub and the supporting plate for housing a spring, and a second cavity between the hub and the reel for housing a flat flexible cable (FFC). The spring is wound in a first direction, while the FFC is wound in a second direction. The FFC includes a first end for electrically coupling to a female jack connector of a device. A female connector is electrically coupled to a second end of the FFC for engaging a male jack connector of user-provided headphones. When the reel rotates in the first direction, the spring tightens and the FFC loosens. When the reel rotates in the second direction, the spring loosens and the FFC tightens. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mobile device case, comprising: a first assembly, comprising: a reel with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the reel for storing a cord of user-provided headphones on a surface of the first side; a cable residing at the second side of the reel for providing electrical coupling, the cable comprising a first end and a second end; and a female connector of the cable residing on the surface of the first side of the reel and electrically coupled to the second end of the cable, the female connector of the cable for engaging a male jack connector of the user-provided headphones physically fixably coupled to the cord of the user-provided headphones at the first side of the reel, wherein when the male jack connector of the user-provided headphones is engaged with the female connector of the cable, the user-provided headphones are physically removably coupled to the reel; and a second assembly, comprising: a male jack connector of the second assembly electrically coupled to the first end of the cable; and a sliding switch coupled to the male jack connector of the second assembly, wherein when the sliding switch is moved in a given direction, the male jack connector of the second assembly is moved to connect to a female jack connector of a device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The case of claim 1, wherein the storage comprises a reel, wherein when the reel rotates in a first direction, a winding of the cord of the user-provided headphone loosens, wherein when the reel rotates in a second direction, the winding of the cord of the user-provided headphone tightens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The case of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a flat flexible cable (FFC). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The case of claim 3, further comprising a membrane residing on the surface of the first side of the reel, the membrane comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the second end of the FFC is electrically coupled to the first surface of the membrane, wherein the female connector of the cable is mounted and electrically coupled to the second surface of the membrane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The case of claim 1, wherein the given direction comprises a direction toward the first assembly, wherein when the sliding switch is moved toward the first assembly, the male jack connector of the second assembly is moved to connect to the female jack connector of the device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The case of claim 1, further comprising a body coupled to the first assembly at a first side of the body, the body comprising a body cavity at a second side of the body for housing the device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The case of claim 1, wherein the cord is further physically fixably coupled to one or more speakers, wherein when the male jack connector of the user-provided headphones is engaged with the female connector of the cable, the cord, the one or more speakers, and the male jack connector of the user-provided headphones are each physically removably coupled to the reel.