Case with headset retraction device

Abstract

A headset retraction device for a portable media player generally includes a base and an arbor, wherein the arbor is configured to rotate within a cavity defined by the base, and the arbor and base are cooperatively configured to wind a cord of the headset in a single plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A headset retractor comprising:
 a headset having one or more speakers for outputting sound, a connector to be inserted into a portable media player, and a cord having one or more conductors extending continuously between the one or more speakers and the connector;   an arbor around which the cord is wound; and   a spring coupled to the arbor to rotate the arbor for winding the cord;   wherein the cord includes a retractable portion that is wound in a single plane about the arbor when retracted;   wherein the spring is wound in a single plane that is generally coplanar with the single plane in which the cord is wound;   wherein the cord includes an inner winding and the retractable portion forms an outer winding, the inner winding and the outer winding being coplanar with the spring; and   wherein the inner winding is wound clockwise in a first state of retraction of the cord and is wound counter-clockwise in a second state of retraction.   
     
     
         2 . The headset retractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the headset retractor comprises a base that is configured as a removable case for a portable media player, the base defining a cavity therein; and   the arbor and the spring are disposed in the cavity, wherein the spring is configured to rotate the arbor relative to the base to wind the cord around the arbor.   
     
     
         3 . The headset retractor of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the base comprises a first member and a second member defining at least a portion of the cavity;   the first member includes an inner surface facing into the cavity and an outer surface facing an outer surface of a portable media player when the base is coupled thereto;   the second member includes an inner surface facing into the cavity and an outer surface facing away from the outer surface of the portable media player when the base is coupled thereto;   the arbor includes a generally planar portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the arbor engaging the inner surface of the second member; and   the cord is positioned in the cavity and may contact the inner surface of the first member and the inner surface of the arbor.   
     
     
         4 . The headset retractor of  claim 3 , further comprising a third member having an outer surface that is coplanar with the outer surface of the first member, wherein the first member is disposed within an aperture of the third member, and the cavity is defined by the first member, the second member, and the third member. 
     
     
         5 . The headset retractor of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes an upper portion and a lower portion; and
 wherein the upper portion is configured to releasably couple to the lower portion so as to generally surround a periphery of the portable media player and retain the portable media player therein.   
     
     
         6 . The headset retractor of  claim 5 , wherein the lower portion includes a cavity in which the arbor and the spring are disposed, and the upper portion includes an aperture that the cord extends through and that is configured to prevent the one or more speakers from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The headset retractor of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes a first member and a second member defining therebetween a cavity in which the spring and the arbor are disposed; and
 wherein the second member includes a post extending into the cavity, the post being configured to couple to the first member to retain the spring between the first member and the second member and the arbor being configured to rotate about the post.   
     
     
         8 . A headset retractor of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a headset having one or more speakers for outputting sound, a connector to be inserted into a portable media player, and a cord having one or more conductors extending continuously between the one or more speakers and the connector;   an arbor around which the cord is wound; and   a spring coupled to the arbor to rotate the arbor for winding the cord;   wherein the cord includes a retractable portion that is wound in a single plane about the arbor when retracted;   wherein the spring is wound in a single plane that is generally coplanar with the single plane in which the cord is wound; and   a slide member coupled to the connector, the slide member being configured to slide the connector relative to a base of the retractor into and out of electrical connection with a port of the portable media player.   
     
     
         9 . The headset retractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cord has a generally constant cross section for a majority of a length of the cord, the cross section having a major dimension and a minor dimension that is less than the major dimension; and   the retractable portion of the cord is wound with the major dimension extending generally in an axial direction relative to the arbor.   
     
     
         10 . The headset retractor of  claim 9 , further comprising a base defining a cavity containing the arbor and the spring and in which the cord is wound, wherein the base defines an opening configured to orient the major dimension of the cord in the axial direction as the cord is retracted into the cavity to be wound about the arbor. 
     
     
         11 . The headset retractor of  claim 10 , wherein the opening of the base has a width that is greater than the minor dimension of the cord and is less than the major dimension of the cord. 
     
     
         12 . The headset retractor of  claim 10 , wherein a stationary portion of the cord does not move relative to the base and extends radially outward across the retractable portion of the cord, the minor dimension of the stationary portion of the cord extending generally in the axial direction. 
     
     
         13 . The headset retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the spring, the inner winding, and the outer winding are coaxial, the inner winding being disposed radially outward of the spring and the outer winding being disposed radially outward of the inner winding. 
     
     
         15 . The headset retractor of  claim 13 , wherein the headset retractor includes a base that is configured as a removable case for a portable media player, the arbor is configured to rotate relative to the base, and a stationary portion of the cord is fixed relative to the base and extends radially outward from the inner winding across the outer winding. 
     
     
         16 . A case for a portable media player comprising:
 a base configured to removably couple to the portable media player and having a first member and a second member defining a cavity therebetween; and   a retraction mechanism having an arbor and a spring disposed in the cavity of the base, the spring configured to rotate the arbor relative to the base to wind a cord around the arbor;   wherein the first member includes an inner surface facing into the cavity and an outer surface configured to be disposed against an outer surface of the portable media player when the case is coupled to the portable media player;   wherein the second member includes an inner surface facing into the cavity and an outer surface configured to be held by a user when the case is coupled to the portable media player;   wherein the arbor has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the arbor engaging the inner surface of the second member; and   wherein the cord is positioned in the cavity and may contact the inner surface of the first member and the inner surface of the arbor.   
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the cord includes one or more conductors extending continuously between one or more speakers and a connector;   the cord includes a retractable portion that is wound in a single plane about the arbor when retracted; and   the spring is wound in a single plane that is generally coplanar with the single plane in which the cord is wound.   
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 16 , wherein the second member includes a generally circular recess, and the arbor rotates within the recess. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 18 , wherein the recess forms a first portion of the inner surface of the second member, and the second member defines a second portion of the inner surface of the second member which is disposed closer to the outer surface of the portable media player than and radially outward of the first portion of the inner surface of the second member; 
       wherein a retracted portion of the cord is wound and positioned against the second portion of the inner surface of the second member. 
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 16 , further comprising a unitary locking member having a spring portion and a locking portion, wherein the arbor includes one or more teeth at an outer periphery thereof, and the spring portion biases the locking portion against one of the teeth of the arbor to prevent rotation thereof.