Patent Application
20140175209
Examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus comprising a cable. In particular, they relate to an apparatus comprising a cable where the cable is configured to be housed within the casing of the apparatus.
Apparatus comprising cables are known. For example a cable may be used to connect an apparatus comprising a power source or memory to an electronic device.
When the cable is not in use it may be useful to enable the cable to be retracted to a position within the casing of the apparatus.
According to some, but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there may be provided an apparatus comprising: a casing; a cable configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the cable comprises an attachment portion and in the first position the attachment portion is positioned outside of the casing and in the second position the attachment portion is positioned within the casing; and a pulling member configured to enable a user to pull the cable from the first position towards the second position.
In some examples at least a portion of the pulling member may be located outside of the casing.
In some examples the pulling member may comprise a portion of the cable which extends out of the casing.
In some examples the pulling member may comprise a strap which is connected to the cable.
In some examples the cable may be configured to be moved from the second position towards the first position by a user pulling the cable. The pulling member may be configured so that when the cable is moved from the second position towards the first position at least a portion of the pulling member is moved into the casing.
In some examples the cable may comprise a flexible member. The cable may be arranged so that the flexible member comprises a bend portion. A spool may be provided in the bend portion. The spool may be configured to move linearly within the casing as the cable moves between the first and second position.
In some examples the attachment portion may be configured to be attached to another apparatus when the cable is in the first position.
In some examples the attachment portion may be configured to be completely retained within the casing when the cable is in the second position.
In some examples the cable may comprise at least a portion coated in polymer.
In some examples the may cable comprise at least a portion coated in textile.
According to some, but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there may be provided an apparatus comprising: a casing; a cable configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the cable comprises an attachment portion and in the first position the attachment portion is positioned outside of the casing and in the second position the attachment portion is positioned within the casing; and at least one magnet configured to pull the cable towards the second position.
In some examples at least one magnet may be provided on the cable.
In some examples at least one magnet may be provided on an inner surface of the casing.
In some examples the at least one magnet may be configured to pull the cable towards the second position when an end of the cable is close to a closed end of the casing.
In some examples the at least one magnet may be configured to pull the cable towards the first position when an end of the cable is close to an open end of the casing.
In some examples the cable may comprise contact portions which may be configured to enable the cable to make electronic contact with at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component may be provided within the casing.
In some examples the attachment portion may be configured to be attached to another apparatus when the cable is in the first position.
In some examples the attachment portion may be configured to be completely retained within the casing when the cable is in the second position.
In some examples the cable may comprise at least a portion coated in polymer.
In some examples the cable may comprise at least a portion coated in textile.
The apparatus may be for connecting electronic components to an electronic device. The electronic components may comprise components such as power sources, memories or any other suitable components.
For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
The Figures illustrate an apparatus 10 comprising: a casing 15; a cable 11 configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the cable 11 comprises an attachment portion 13 and in the first position the attachment portion 13 is positioned outside of the casing 15 and in the second position the attachment portion 13 is positioned within the casing 15; and a pulling member 21 configured to enable a user to pull the cable 11 from the first position towards the second position.
The Figures also illustrate an apparatus 10 comprising: a casing 15; a cable 11 configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the cable 11 comprises an attachment portion 13 and in the first position the attachment portion 13 is positioned outside of the casing 15 and in the second position the attachment portion 13 is positioned within the casing 15; and at least one magnet 51, 53 configured to pull the cable 11 towards the second position.
In the following description the term coupled means operationally coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements can exist (including no intervening elements).
The example apparatus 10 illustrated in
The cable 11 may comprise a first end and a second end and a mid-portion between the first and second end. The first end of the cable 11 may be retained within the casing 15 and so is not illustrated in
In the examples of
The cable 11 comprises an attachment portion 13. The attachment portion 13 may be provided at the second end of the cable 11.
The attachment portion 13 may comprise any means which may enable the cable 11 to be connected to another apparatus. The another apparatus may comprise, for example, an electronic device 20. The attachment portion 13 may comprise means which may enable an electrical connection to be established between the apparatus 10 and the electronic device 20. For example the attachment portion may be a connector such as a USB (universal serial bus) connector.
The cable 11 may be configured to connect the attachment portion 13 to the casing of the apparatus 10. The cable 11 may be configured to provide an electrical connection between the attachment portion 13 and electronic components of the apparatus 10.
In some examples the cable 11 may comprise a flexible portion. The flexible portion may be configured to be bent or twisted. The bends in the flexible portion of the cable 11 may be used to enable the cable 11 to be retracted back into the casing 15.
The cable 11 may be configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The cable 11 is illustrated in the first position in
When the cable 11 is in the second position the attachment portion 13 may be positioned within the casing 15. When the cable 11 is positioned within the casing 15 then the attachment portion 13 may be positioned relative to the casing 15 so that it cannot be connected to another apparatus such as an electronic device 20. When the cable 11 is positioned within the casing 15 the attachment portion 13 may be hidden by the casing 15 so that the attachment portion 13 cannot be seen. In some examples, when the cable 11 is in the second position the attachment portion 13 may be completely retained within the casing 15.
The cable 11 may comprise a coating which may reduce the friction between the cable 11 and the casing 15 as the cable 11 is moved between the first and second positions. This may make it easier for the user to move the cable 11 between the first and second positions. For example in some embodiments the cable 11 may comprise a polymer coating such as a Teflon coating and/or the cable 11 may comprise a textile coating.
The casing 15 may house electronic components such as power source or memory or any other suitable components. The casing 15 may provide a protective housing for the components of the apparatus 10. The casing 15 may protect the components of the apparatus 10 from the ingress of fluid and/or dirt and may also provide protection from physical impacts.
The electronic device 20 may be for example, a mobile cellular telephone, a personal computer, a camera, a gaming device, a personal digital assistant, an electronic book reader, a personal music player, a tablet computer or any other similar electronic device 20 which may be connected to another apparatus 10 via a cable 11. The electronic device 20 may be a handheld device which can be carried in a user's hand, handbag or pocket of their clothing for example.
The example apparatus 10 illustrated in
The first end of the cable 11 is illustrated in
In the example of
The apparatus 10 of
As described above the cable 11 may be configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The cable 11 is illustrated in the first position in
The cable 11 is illustrated in the second position in
The apparatus 10 of
The pulling member 21 may be connected to the cable 11. The pulling member 21 may comprise a portion which is located outside of the casing 15. The casing 15 may comprise an opening through which the pulling member 21 may extend. In this example the opening for the pulling member 21 may be located on an opposite side of the casing 15 to the opening for the cable 11.
In the example of
The strap 23 may be connected to the cable by any suitable means.
When the cable 11 is in the first position as illustrated in
The second portion 26 of the strap 23 may be configured so that a user can grip the second portion 26 of the strap 23. For example, in
When the cable 11 is in the second position as illustrated in
The user may move the cable 11 from the first position illustrated in
As the pulling member 21 is connected to the cable 11 when the pulling member 21 is pulled towards the direction of the arrow 29 this also pulls the cable 11 into the casing 15. The user may be able to pull the pulling member 21 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is arranged into the second position. The user may be able to pull the pulling member 21 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is retained within the casing 15.
The user may move the cable 11 from the second position illustrated in
As the cable 11 is connected to the pulling member 21 when the cable 11 is pulled towards the direction of the arrow 31 this pulls the cable 11 out of the casing 15 and also pulls the first portion 24 of the strap 23 into the casing 15. The user may be able to pull the cable 11 until the cable 11 is arranged into the first position. The user may be able to pull the cable 11 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is positioned outside of the casing 15 so that it can be connected to another apparatus.
In the example of
Both the cable 11 and the strap 23 pass through the opening of the ring 33. This secures the strap 23 and the cable 11 together. This ensures that when the user pulls on the strap 23 the cable 11 is pulled in the same direction as the strap 23. The ring 33 also ensures that when the attachment portion 13 is pulled out of the casing 15, the first portion 23 of the strap 24 is pulled into the casing 15.
In the example of
In the example of
In some examples the apparatus 10 may comprise means for preventing the user from pulling the strap 23 too far into the casing 15. The means may also prevent the strap 23 from twisting inside of the casing 15 as twisting of the strap 23 could make it harder for the user to pull the strap 23 back out of the casing 15. The means may comprise a rib provided in the opening in the casing 15 through which the strap 23 extends. The rib may be configured so that the strap 23 exits the casing 15 on one side of the rib and bends back into the casing on the other side of the rib.
In the example of
In the example of
The spool 41 may be configured to move linearly within the casing 15. The spool 41 may be configured to move linearly in the directions indicated by the arrows, 43, 45. The spool 41 may be configured to move linearly when the user pulls on the strap 23 and/or the cable 11.
The spool 41 may be configured to optimise the shape of the bend in the cable 11. The shape of the bend may be optimised to reduce the amount of space which the cable 11 takes up inside the casing 15. In some examples the shape of the bend may be optimised to make it easier for the user to move the cable 11 between the first and second positions.
As in the previous examples the cable 11 may be configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The cable 11 is illustrated in the first position in
In the example of
The apparatus 10 of
In the example of
The casing 15 comprises an opening 49 which is illustrated in
The opening 49 also comprises a rib 48. The rib 48 may be configured to prevent the user pulling the cable 11 too far into the casing 15. The rib 48 may be provided so that the cable 11 exits the casing 15 on one side of the rib 48 and bends back into the casing 15 on the other side of the rib 48.
The user may move the cable 11 from the first position illustrated in
As the pulling member 21 is part of the cable 11 when the pulling member 21 is pulled towards the direction of the arrow 29 this pulls the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 into the casing 15. The user may be able to pull the pulling member 21 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is arranged into the second position. The user may be able to pull the pulling member 21 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is retained within the casing 15.
The user may move the cable 11 from the second position illustrated in
As the pulling member 21 is part of the cable 11 this will cause part of the cable 11 to be pulled in to the casing 15. The rib 48 in the opening of the casing 15 may prevent the user from pulling all of the cable 11 into the casing 15 so that a portion of the cable 11 remains outside the casing 15 to provide the pulling member 21.
The user may be able to pull the cable 11 until the cable 11 is arranged into the first position. The user may be able to pull the cable 11 until the attachment portion 13 of the cable 11 is positioned outside of the casing 15 so that it can be connected to another apparatus.
In the examples of
In the examples of
The cable 11 comprises a magnetic portion 55. The magnetic portion 55 may be provided on the first end of the cable 11. The magnetic portion 55 may comprise any material which may be subject to a magnet force from the first and second magnets 51, 53. For example, the magnetic portion may comprise a ferrous material such as iron or steel.
The cable 11 may also comprise one or more connection portions 61. The connection portions 61 may be configured to enable the cable to make electronic contact with at least one electronic component when the cable 11 is in the first position. The connection portions 61 may be configured to connect to corresponding connection portions 65 provided within the casing 15. The connection portions 65 of the casing 15 may be located close to the opening through which the cable 11 extends.
In
In the arrangement of
In
The force applied by the user pulls the magnetic portion 55 of the cable away from the first magnet 51 so that the first end of the cable 11 moves within the casing 15 towards the second magnet 53.
In
Similarly, if the user were to push the magnetic portion 55 to the left of the midpoint then the magnetic portion 55 would be closer to the first magnet 51 than the second magnet 53. The force acting on the magnetic portion 55 from the first magnet 51 would be stronger than the force acting on the magnetic portion 55 from the second magnet 53. This may cause the magnetic portion 55 to be pulled towards the first magnet 51 and so may pull the cable 11 towards the second position.
In
In
When the cable 15 is in the first position the connection portions 61 of the first end of the cable 11 may make electronic contact with the connection portions 65 of the casing 15. This may enable electronic contact to be made between the cable 11 and the other components within the casing 15.
When the cable 11 is in the first position the second magnet 53 provides an attractive force which acts to pull the magnetic portion 55 of the cable 11 towards the second magnet 53. This acts to hold the cable 11 in the first position and ensures that a reliable connection is established between the connection portions 61 of the first end of the cable 11 and the connection portions 65 of the casing 15.
It is to be appreciated that a user may return the cable 11 to the second position by pushing the cable 11 until the magnetic portion 55 of the cable is located close enough to the first magnet 51 so that the first magnet 51 can pull the cable 11 back to the second position.
In the example of
The examples provide for a cable 11 which may be easily extracted and retracted from a casing 15.
The pulling members 21 and respective magnets 51, 53 may be arranged so that the cable 11 can be easily pulled back into the casing 15 and removed whenever needed.
In some examples, the cable 11 may be completely retained within the casing 15 so that there are no external attachment portions to the apparatus 10. This may improve the aesthetics of the apparatus 10 when it is not in use.
The cable 11 may be arranged so that it takes up a minimal amount of space within the casing 15.
The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one” or by using “consisting”.
In this detailed description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term “example” or “for example” or “may” in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus “example”, “for example” or “may” refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.
Although examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For instance, in the above described examples two magnets are provided within the casing. In other examples one magnet may be provided on the cable which may be attracted to magnetic portions within the casing.
The apparatus 10 comprises a cable 11 which can be moved between a first and second position relative to a casing 15 as described above. The casing 15 comprises a closed end 100 and an open end 110. The cable 11 may extend through the open end 110. In the examples of
In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
It is to be appreciated that different arrangements of magnets and metal or magnetic portions may be selected for use in different examples of the apparatus 10. The factors which may influence the selection of the magnetic arrangement may include the space available within the casing 15, the holding power required to hold the cable 11 in position and the effect of the magnetic flux on other components in or near the apparatus 10 or any other suitable factor.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
I/we claim:
