Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofitted onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps into the open configuration, thus guiding the straps way from the foot area of the binding. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile forces along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile forces are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such forces. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. If the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal, resulting in no safety concerns to user.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofit onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps and an open configuration. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile stress along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile stress are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such stresses. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. Safety is achieved because even if the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofitted onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps into the open configuration, thus guiding the straps way from the foot area of the binding. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile forces along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile forces are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such forces. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. If the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal, resulting in no safety concerns to user.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofit onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps and an open configuration. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile stress along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile stress are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such stresses. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. Safety is achieved because even if the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal.

Abstract: A device removeably attachable to a case for an electronic device for delivering sound includes a housing having a speaker means and a printed circuit board assembly mounted in the housing. The printed circuit board assembly is in electronic communication with the speaker means. The printed circuit board assembly includes a wireless communication module having an antenna to enable wireless communication with the electronic device. The printed circuit board and having a curved shape to partially circumscribe the speaker means to enable the speaker means and the circuit board to lie co-planar. In one embodiment, the speaker means is a retractable ear bud device. In another embodiment, the speaker assembly is a speaker with an annular periphery and a body with a truncated conical shape, whereby the printer circuit board lies co-planar with a portion of the body of the speaker.

Abstract: A retractable ear bud module has a housing with an ear bud cable retractable mounted in the housing. The ear bud cable has at least one ear bud and a microphone, and a fixed end attached to a circuit board including a wireless receiver mounted. The wireless receiver electronically connects with the ear bud cable to transfer audio signals from the electronic device to the ear bud and from the microphone to the wireless receiver. A spool, mounts in the housing to retract and dispense the ear bud cable. In order to avoid entanglement of the microphone in the spool and housing, the microphone is integrated with the ear bud in one embodiment, is collocated with the ear bud in an alternate embodiment, and is distanced by no more than two inches from the ear bud in another embodiment.

Abstract: A kit of parts and method for using the same with an electronic computing device includes providing a case for an electronic device, the case has a receiver plate attachable to a peripheral device, encasing the electronic device with the case to protect the electronic device and to enable the electronic device to physically connect to a peripheral device, selecting a peripheral device from a group of peripheral devices, attaching the selected peripheral device to the receiver plate to stow the peripheral device in proximity with the electronic device, and thereby assure that the selected peripheral device is readily available for use, detaching the selected peripheral device from the receiver plate to enable optimal placement of the selected peripheral device in proximity to the electronic device, and establishing wireless electronic communication between the electronic device and the selected peripheral device.

Abstract: A retractable ear bud module. The ear bud module is has a housing for holding an ear bud cable, an ear bud cable moveably mounted in the housing, the ear bud cable having a free end with at least one ear bud and a fixed end. A circuit board including a wireless receiver mounts in the housing for communicating with the electronic device. The wireless receiver electronically connects with the ear bud cable to transfer audio signals from the electronic device to the ear bud. A retraction mechanism mounts in the housing to retract and dispense the ear bud cable. The retraction mechanism includes a rotatable spool mounted in the housing, a spring recessed centrally within the spool, and an annular retainer circumscribing the spool to align the ear bud cable on the spool.

Abstract: A low cost, sealed contactor comprises a hermetically sealed housing with a flat header having internal components for changing the state of said contactor. Terminals are electrically connected to the internal components for connection to internal circuitry and applying an electrical signal to control the state of the contactor. A solenoid-driven plunger with a hollow shaft is included. Power-reducing electronics located within the hermetically sealed housing are also included. Two contact springs are also included to improve electrical performance. O-rings are added to help seal the contactor and keep it hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A cartridge for managing ear bud cables includes a housing, a hub, a spool and an ear bud cable. Rotation of the spool selectively retracts and dispenses the ear bud cables while enabling continuous audio communication between the at least one ear bud and an audio device. A motor assembly rotates the spool. The motor assembly includes a drive gear and a first storage drum, a first constant torque spring wound at least partially about the first storage drum and the drive gear for applying torque to the drive gear. The first storage drum and the drive gear are distanced from each other to enable a length of the spring to extends between the storage drum and the drive gear to apply constant torque to the drive gear. The constant torque has a variability of no more than +/?10%.

Abstract: A case for holding an audio device includes a cover having two sections that interconnect to encase an audio device. The case also includes a means for electrically connecting the cover to an audio device, and a contact pad mounted on the cover capable of electrically connecting the case with a cartridge for managing ear bud cables. The means for electrically connecting may include a female audio jack, an apple thirty pin connector, a universal serial bus connector, or a high definition multimedia interface connector.

Abstract: A case for holding an audio device having a female audio jack. The case has a removable cover including a male audio jack for electronically connecting the cover to the female audio jack of the audio device. The cartridge includes a spool and houses an ear bud cable. The ear bud cable has a first end with at least one ear bud, and a second end attached to the spool. The cartridge has a rotatable spool for selectively retracting and dispensing the ear bud cable. The spool electronically connects with the male audio jack to enable audio communication between the audio device and the ear bud. In one embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via a jumper wire. In another embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via an electrical contact pad integrated into the case.

Abstract: A cartridge for managing ear bud cables includes a housing, a hub, a spool with a moveable audio contact and an ear bud cable. The housing has an input jack that is electronically connectable to an audio-source. The hub defines a stationary contact surface electrically connected with the input jack. The ear bud cable wraps at least partially around the spool, the ear bud cable has a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically connected with the moveable audio contact of the spool and the second end being electrically connected with at least one ear bud. Rotation of the spool selectively retracts and dispenses the ear bud cables while enabling continuous audio communication between the at least one ear bud and the audio source.

Abstract: A cartridge usable with a portable electronic device for managing an ear bud cable comprises a housing having a hub, a spool and stationary audio contacts fixed with respect to a hub axis. The stationary audio contacts are annular in shape and insulated from each other and from the housing. The stationary audio contacts are spaced equally from each other, and are each placed at fixed distance from the hub axis. The annular stationary audio contacts connect electrically with an auxiliary audio jack and a contact pad for simultaneously connecting the device to more than one audio device. Conductive contacts are placed on a bottom side of the spool, and are spring loaded to maintain continuous electrical contact with the stationary audio contacts.

Abstract: A case for holding an audio device having a female audio jack. The case has a removable cover including a male audio jack for electronically connecting the cover to the female audio jack of the audio device. The cartridge includes a spool and houses an ear bud cable. The ear bud cable has a first end with at least one ear bud, and a second end attached to the spool. The cartridge has a rotatable spool for selectively retracting and dispensing the ear bud cable. The spool electronically connects with the male audio jack to enable audio communication between the audio device and the ear bud. In one embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via a jumper wire. In another embodiment, the spool electronically connects with the male audio jack via an electrical contact pad integrated into the case.

Abstract: A cartridge for managing ear bud cables includes a housing, a hub, a spool with a moveable audio contact and an ear bud cable. The housing has an input jack that is electronically connectable to an audio-source. The hub defines a stationary contact surface electrically connected with the input jack. The ear bud cable wraps at least partially around the spool, the ear bud cable has a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically connected with the moveable audio contact of the spool and the second end being electrically connected with at least one ear bud. Rotation of the spool selectively retracts and dispenses the ear bud cables while enabling continuous audio communication between the at least one ear bud and the audio source.

Abstract: A cartridge for managing ear bud cables includes a housing, a hub, a spool and an ear bud cable. The housing has an input jack that is electronically connectable to an audio-source. The hub is fixed in the housing defines a stationary contact surface electrically connected with the input jack. The rotatably mounts with respect to the hub and has moveable audio contacts for continuously contacting the stationary contact surface during rotation of the spool and while the spool is stationary. The ear bud cable wraps at least partially around the spool, the ear bud cable has a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically connected with the moveable audio contact of the spool and the second end being electrically connected with at least one ear bud. Rotation of the spool selectively retracts and dispenses the ear bud cables while enabling continuous audio communication between the at least one ear bud and the audio source.

Abstract: A cartridge for managing an ear bud cable includes a housing having an input jack that is electronically connectable to an audio-source and a hub electrically connected with the input jack. A spool rotatably mounts on, and is electrically connected with, the hub. A power gear mounts in the housing and in contact with the spool for rotating the spool. The power gear defines a recessed interior. An ear bud cable wraps at least partially around the spool. A power gear spring mounts within the recessed interior of the power gear to minimize the size and, particularly, the thickness of the cartridge. In an alternate embodiment, the spool includes a recessed portion and a spool power spring mounts within the recessed portion of the hub. In yet another embodiment, the spool and the power gear both have recessed portions that hold a power spring.

Abstract: A low cost, sealed contactor comprises a hermetically sealed housing with a flat header having internal components for changing the state of said contactor. Terminals are electrically connected to the internal components for connection to internal circuitry and applying an electrical signal to control the state of the contactor. A solenoid-driven plunger with a hollow shaft is included. Power-reducing electronics located within the hermetically sealed housing are also included. Two contact springs are also included to improve electrical performance. O-rings are added to help seal the contactor and keep it hermetically sealed.