Automatic cable retracting system

Abstract

An automatic cable retracting system includes a base and a guide connected to the base, the guide translationally movable along a line parallel to the surface of the base. A biasing device is provided for resisting movement of the guide, in a direction along the line, over a range of motion. A cable having a middle section and a first and second end of the middle section is provided, a portion of the middle section being in contact with and changing direction around the guide. The system can be configured so that a tension on the first end causes the first end to move a length, and causes the guide to move a distance of at least a portion of the range of motion. The system can further be configured so that the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than the distance moved by the guide as a result of the tension. The system may be integrated into an electronic device, such as a speaker, a computer mouse, a keyboard or the like.

1 . An automatic cable retracting system, comprising: 
 a base;    a guide translationally movable along a line parallel to a surface of the base;    a biasing device for resisting movement of the guide, in a direction along the line, over a range of motion; and    a cable having a middle section and a first and second end of the middle section, a portion of the middle section being in contact with and changing direction around the guide,    wherein the system is configured so that a tension on the first end causes the first end to move a length, and causes the guide to move a distance of at least a portion of the range of motion,    wherein the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than the distance moved by the guide as a result of the tension, and    wherein no portion of the cable is permanently affixed to the base.    
     
     
         2 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the system is configured so that a second tension on the second end causes the second end to move a second length, and causes the guide to move a second distance of at least a portion of the range of motion, and    wherein the second length moved by the second end as a result of the second tension is greater than the second distance moved by the guide as a result of the second tension.    
     
     
         3 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises at least three guides, wherein at least two of the at least three guides are translationally movable along the direction relative to the base.  
     
     
         4 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein all of the at least three guides are translationally movable along the direction relative to the base.  
     
     
         5 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises an electric cable.  
     
     
         6 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises: a plurality of guides; and a sliding plate connecting at least two of the plurality of guides, wherein the sliding plate is slidably connected to the base.  
     
     
         7 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the sliding plate is oriented relative to the base so that a line passing through centers of the at least two of the plurality of guides is substantially parallel to the direction.  
     
     
         8 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a first one of the at least two of the plurality of guides connected to the sliding plate is larger than a second two of the at least two of the plurality of guides.  
     
     
         9 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a printed circuit board.  
     
     
         10 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of guides, and wherein at least one of the plurality of guides is not rotatable relative to the base.  
     
     
         11 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises: a housing having a plurality of walls including the base; and an odd number of guides, wherein opposing portions of the cable pass through a same wall of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis connected to the base.  
     
     
         13 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than three times the distance moved by the guide as a result of the tension.  
     
     
         14 . An electronic device, comprising: 
 an electronic unit; and    the automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  1 , the system formed within the unit,    wherein the cable comprises an electric cable, and    wherein the electric cable is configured to transfer power or signals to or from the unit.    
     
     
         15 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         16 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a keyboard.  
     
     
         17 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a computer mouse.  
     
     
         18 . An automatic cable retracting system, comprising: 
 a base;    two movable guides, the guides being translationally movable along a direction relative to the base;    biasing device for resisting movement of the two guides, in the direction, over a range of motion; and    a cable having a middle section and a first and second end of the middle section, a portion of the middle section being in contact with and changing direction around the two guides,    wherein the system is configured so that a tension on the first end causes the first end to move a length, and causes at least one of the two guides to move a distance of at least a portion of the range of motion, and    wherein the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than the distance moved by the at least one of the two guides as a result of the tension.    
     
     
         19 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the system comprises at least three guides.  
     
     
         20 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the cable comprises an electric cable.  
     
     
         21 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a sliding plate connecting the two guides, wherein the sliding plate is slidably connected to the base.  
     
     
         22 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the sliding plate is oriented relative to the base so that a line passing through centers of the two guides is substantially parallel to the direction.  
     
     
         23 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a first one of the two guides connected to the sliding plate is larger than a second one of the two guides.  
     
     
         24 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the base comprises a printed circuit board.  
     
     
         25 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein at least a first one of the two guides is not rotatable relative to the housing.  
     
     
         26 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the system comprises: a housing having a plurality of walls including the base; and an odd number of guides, wherein opposing portions of the cable pass through a same wall of the housing.  
     
     
         27 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein at least a first one of the two guides comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis connected to the base.  
     
     
         28 . An electronic device, comprising: 
 an electronic unit; and    the automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  18 , the system formed within the unit,    wherein the cable comprises an electric cable, and    wherein the electric cable is configured to transfer electrical power or signals to or from the unit.    
     
     
         29 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         30 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a computer mouse or keyboard.  
     
     
         31 . An automatic cable retracting system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a guide translationally movable along a direction relative to the housing;    a biasing device for resisting movement of the guide, along the direction, over a range of motion; and,    a cable having a middle section and a first and second end of the middle section, a portion of the middle section being in contact with and changing direction around the guide,    wherein the system is configured so that a tension on the first end causes the first end to move a length, and causes the guide to move a distance of at least a portion of the range of motion,    wherein the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than the distance moved by the guide as a result of the tension, and    wherein exactly one wall of the housing comprises a track along which the guide is movable.    
     
     
         32 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the track comprises an elongated opening in the exactly one wall, and wherein the system further comprises a connector slidably movable along the elongated opening and connecting the guide to the housing.  
     
     
         33 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the cable comprises an electric cable.  
     
     
         34 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the guide comprises a plurality of guides, and wherein the system comprises a sliding plate connecting at least two of the plurality of guides, the sliding plate being slidably connected to the housing.  
     
     
         35 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the sliding plate is oriented relative to the housing so that a line passing through centers of the at least two guides is substantially parallel to the direction.  
     
     
         36 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein a first one of the at least two guides connected to the sliding plate is larger than a second one of the at least two guides.  
     
     
         37 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the housing comprises a printed circuit board.  
     
     
         38 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of guides, and wherein at least one of the plurality of guides is not rotatable relative to the housing.  
     
     
         39 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the system comprises an odd number of guides, and wherein opposing portions of the cable pass through a same wall of the housing.  
     
     
         40 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of guides and wherein at least one of the plurality of guides comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis connected to the housing.  
     
     
         41 . An electronic device, comprising: 
 an electronic unit; and    the automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  31 , the system formed within the unit,    wherein the cable comprises an electric cable, and    wherein the electric cable is configured to transfer power or signals to or from the unit.    
     
     
         42 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         43 . The automatic cable retracting system as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the electronic unit comprises a computer mouse or keyboard.  
     
     
         44 . An automatic cable retracting system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a guide translationally movable along a direction relative to the housing;    a biasing device for resisting movement of the guide, in the direction, over a range of motion; and    an electric cable having a middle section and a first and second end of the middle section, a portion of the middle section being in contact with and changing direction around the guide,    wherein the system is configured so that a tension on the first end causes the first end to move a length, and causes the guide to move a distance of at least a portion of the range of motion,    wherein the length moved by the first end as a result of the tension is greater than the distance moved by the guide as a result of the tension, and    wherein all portions of the electric cable within the housing are substantially coplanar.