USB cable and method of producing same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing a USB cable capable of being fed out of and returned to a cable reel is disclosed along with a cable reel that houses the cable and provides connectivity for the cable.

We claim: 
     
       1. A universal serial bus cord reel apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 Aa cable, the cable comprising a) first and second data wires adjacent to each other, and twisted around each other at approximately four twists per inch; b) a first braided shield surrounding the first and second data wires to prevent electromagnetic or radio frequency interference; c) two or more additional conductors adjacent to the shield surrounding the first and second data wires, the additional wires being twisted about the shield at approximately two twists per inch; d) an electrical insulator cover enclosing the additional conductors and first and second data wires; and e) a second shield enclosing the electrical insulator cover; whereby the cable has an impedance of approximately 90 ohms; 
 a universal serial bus connector at each end of the cable; 
 a housing; 
 a reel attached to and rotatable with respect to the housing for accepting the cable; 
 a spring mounted between the housing and the reel for biasing the rotation of the reel in one direction for retracting the cable;  
 a ratchet attached to the housing for selectively restraining rotation of the reel whereby the cable assembly may be maintained in an extended position, or retracted and wound on the reel. 
 
     
     
       2. A universal serial bus cord reel apparatus comprising:
 Aa cable, the cable comprising a substantially round profile comprising: a) first and second data wires adjacent to each other, and twisted around each other at approximately four twists per inch and enclosed by a first shield; b) two or more additional conductors adjacent to the first shield surrounding the first and second data wires, the additional wires being twisted about the shield at approximately two twists per inch; c) an electrical insulator cover enclosing the additional conductors and first and second data wires; and d) a second shield enclosing the electrical insulator cover; whereby the cable has an impedance of approximately 90 ohms; 
 a universal serial bus connector at each end of the cable; 
 a housing; 
 a reel attached to and rotatable with respect to the housing for accepting the cable; 
 a ratchet attached to the housing for selectively restraining rotation of the reel whereby the cable assembly may be maintained in an extended position, or retracted and wound on the reel. 
 
     
     
       3. A cord reel apparatus for detachably supplying at least data to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a cable assembly, the cable comprising a substantially round profile comprising:   a) first and second data wires adjacent to each other, and twisted around each other at a lay of multiple twists per inch;   b) two or more additional conductors adjacent the first and second data wires,   c) an electrical shield enclosing the additional conductors and first and second data wires; wherein the electrical shield reduces electromagnetic interference to the first and second data wires;   a connector at each end of the cable assembly;   a housing; and   a retractable reel attached to and rotatable with respect to the housing for accepting the cable assembly.    
     
     
       4. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the additional conductors are twisted about the first and second data wires.  
     
     
       5. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cable assembly has a nominal impedance sufficient for the operation of electronic devices and data components.  
     
     
       6. The cord reel apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cable assembly has a nominal impedance of approximately 90 ohms.  
     
     
       7. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connector is a Universal Serial Bus connector.  
     
     
       8. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the retractable reel is a self-retracting reel.  
     
     
       9. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively restraining rotation of the reel whereby the cable may be maintained in an extended position, or retracted and rewound on the retractable reel.  
     
     
       10. The cord reel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second data wires are twisted around each other at a lay of approximately four twists per inch.  
     
     
       11. A universal serial bus cord reel apparatus for detachably supplying at least data to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a cable assembly, the cable comprising a substantially round profile comprising:   a) first and second data wires adjacent to each other, and twisted around each other at approximately four twists per inch;   b) a first shield surrounding the first and second data wires to prevent electromagnetic or radio frequency interference;   c) two or more additional conductors adjacent to the first and second data wires,   d) a second shield enclosing the additional conductors and first and second data wires; and   e) a third shield enclosing the second shield; wherein the second and third shields reduce electromagnetic interference to the first and second data wires;   a universal serial bus connector at each end of the cable assembly;   a housing;   a reel attached to and rotatable with respect to the housing for accepting the cable assembly;   a ratchet attached to the housing whereby the cable assembly may be maintained, or retracted and wound on the reel.    
     
     
       12. The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the additional conductors and the twisted first and second data wires are twisted about one another.  
     
     
       13. A cord reel apparatus for detachably supplying at least data to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a cable assembly, the cable assembly having a substantially round profile comprising:   a) first and second data wires adjacent to each other, and twisted around each other at approximately four twists per inch;   b) two or more additional conductors twisted around the first and second data wires;   c) a shield enclosing the additional conductors and first and second data wires;   whereby the first and second data wires of the cable assembly have an impedance of approximately 90 ohms;   a connector at each end of the cable assembly;   a housing; and   a retractable reel attached to and rotatable with respect to the housing for accepting the cable assembly.    
     
     
       14. The cable assembly of claim 13, further comprising a first braided shield surrounding the first and second data wires to prevent electromagnetic or radio frequency interference.  
     
     
       15. The cable assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one connector of the connector at each end of the cable assembly is a USB connector.