Abstract: A retractable cable assembly in use with an electrical charger, power adapter, or other power supply. A cable wound on a spool disposed within a housing may be extracted by manually pulling on the cable or pressing of a release switch until the desired length of the cable is drawn. As the cable is drawn an engaged locking mechanism is used to keep the cable in place during and after extraction of the cable until which time retraction of the cable is desired. A retraction actuator disengages the locking mechanism, thereby freeing the cable and immediately retracting the cable within the housing.

Abstract: A retractable cable assembly in use with an electrical charger, power adapter, or other power supply. A cable wound on a spool disposed within a housing may be extracted by manually pulling on the cable or pressing of a release switch until the desired length of the cable is drawn. As the cable is drawn an engaged locking mechanism is used to keep the cable in place during and after extraction of the cable until which time retraction of the cable is desired. Rotation or twisting of at least a portion of the housing disengages the locking mechanism, thereby freeing the cable and immediately retracting the cable within the housing.

Abstract: A compact charging station with minimal horizontal surface area onto which charging contacts are disposed capable of maintaining strong and steady contact between charging contacts of the charging station and charging contacts of the mobile robot. Charging contacts retract when not in to remain free of any dust and debris and protected from any damage when not in use.

Abstract: A retractable cable assembly in use with an electrical charger, power adapter, or other power supply. A cable wound on a spool within the cable assembly housing may be extracted by manually pulling on the cable or pressing of a release switch until the desired length of the cord is drawn. As the cord is drawn a torsional spring rotatably coupled to the spool and located within the core of the spool is compressed. An engaged pawl-ratchet mechanism is used to keep the spool, torsional spring and cord in place during and after extraction of the cord until which time retraction of the cord is desired. Rotation or twisting of the housing lid or of the main housing of the retractable cable assembly housing disengages the pawl-ratchet mechanism, thereby freeing the spool and torsional spring. The compressed torsional spring within the core of the spool rotates immediately as it decompresses causing the coupled spool to rotate and retract the cable, thereby winding it back around the spool within the housing.

Abstract: A compact charging station with minimal horizontal surface area onto which charging contacts are disposed capable of maintaining strong and steady contact between charging contacts of the charging station and charging contacts of the mobile robot. Charging contacts retract when not in to remain free of any dust and debris and protected from any damage when not in use.

Abstract: A retractable cable assembly in use with an electrical charger, power adapter, or other power supply. A cable wound on a spool within the cable assembly housing may be extracted by manually pulling on the cable or pressing of a release switch until the desired length of the cord is drawn. As the cord is drawn a torsional spring rotatably coupled to the spool and located within the core of the spool is compressed. An engaged pawl-ratchet mechanism is used to keep the spool, torsional spring and cord in place during and after extraction of the cord until which time retraction of the cord is desired. Rotation or twisting of the housing lid or of the main housing of the retractable cable assembly housing disengages the pawl-ratchet mechanism, thereby freeing the spool and torsional spring. The compressed torsional spring within the core of the spool rotates immediately as it decompresses causing the coupled spool to rotate and retract the cable, thereby winding it back around the spool within the housing.