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A mobile device case contains an onboard retractable charging and/or data cord, preferably a USB cable or other equivalent, which allows the user to charge on the go from an available USB port without carrying an external charging cord or transformer adapter. The mobile device case can use various o

A mobile device case contains an onboard retractable charging and/or data cord, preferably a USB cable or other equivalent, which allows the user to charge on the go from an available USB port without carrying an external charging cord or transformer adapter. The mobile device case can use various optional interchangeable tops that allow the user the ability to switch tops for the case. Optional tops include a simply top to secure the device into the lower base of the case, a top that contains a supplemental battery that, by engaging a switch on the top, transfers power to the mobile device's battery, and a top which serves as a transformer adapter. The latter top contains a USB:port (or equivalent) and fold-out prongs that can be plugged into an outlet. Furthermore, an improved electrical contact system permits an electrical connection between a reel for the retractable cord and a mobile device contact pin without metal-on-metal contact while the reel is moving.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A case for a mobile device, comprising: a bottom section;a top section detachable from the bottom section, wherein the top section and the bottom section are configured to hold the mobile device;a device contact mounted on the bottom section and configured to provide electrical contact between th

1. A case for a mobile device, comprising: a bottom section;a top section detachable from the bottom section, wherein the top section and the bottom section are configured to hold the mobile device;a device contact mounted on the bottom section and configured to provide electrical contact between the case and the mobile device;a retractable reel assembly contained within the bottom section, the retractable reel assembly holding a cable having a connector at one end; andan electrical contact system that electrically connects the cable on the retractable reel assembly to the device contact,whereinthe top section contains (i) prongs that are moveable between a first position, in which the prongs can be inserted into a wall outlet, and a second position, in which the prongs are folded into the top section, (ii) a port configured to receive the connector on the one end of the cable, and (iii) a transformer electrically connected to the prongs and to the port;the retractable reel assembly has a notch on its circumferential periphery,the bottom section further comprises a pawl having a claw portion, the pawl being pivotably mounted on the bottom section so that the claw portion engages the notch on the retractable reel assembly when the pawl is pivoted toward the retractable reel assembly, andthe electrical contact system comprises: a plurality of conductors on the retractable reel assembly, the plurality of conductors each having a respective contact portion adjacent to the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly; anda plurality of contact pins on the pawl,wherein the pawl is disposed so that the plurality of contact pins on the pawl contact respective conductors on the retractable reel assembly when the claw portion on the pawl is engaged with the notch on the retractable reel assembly. 2. The case according to claim 1, where the connector is a USB connector and the port is a USB port. 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises a plurality of parallel conductive strips extending in a radial direction from the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly. 4. The case according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact pins are spring-loaded contact pins that pass through holes in the pawl. 5. A case system for a mobile device, comprising: a case having a bottom section;a first top section detachable from the bottom section, wherein the top section and the bottom section are configured to hold the mobile device;a device contact mounted on the bottom section and configured to provide electrical contact between the case and the mobile device;a retractable reel assembly contained within the bottom section, the retractable reel assembly holding a cable having a connector at one end; andan electrical contact system that electrically connects the cable on the retractable reel assembly to the device contact;whereinthe retractable reel assembly has a notch on its circumferential periphery,the bottom section further comprises a pawl having a claw portion, the pawl being pivotably mounted on the bottom section so that the claw portion engages the notch on the retractable reel assembly when the pawl is pivoted toward the retractable reel assembly, andthe electrical contact system comprises: a plurality of conductors on the retractable reel assembly, the plurality of conductors each having a respective contact portion adjacent to the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly; anda plurality of contact pins on the pawl,wherein the pawl is disposed so that the plurality of contact pins on the pawl contact respective conductors on the retractable reel assembly when the claw portion on the pawl is engaged with the notch on the retractable reel assembly; anda second top section, interchangeable with the first top section, the second top section including one of a. an adapter having (i) prongs that are moveable between a first position, in which the prongs can be inserted into a wall outlet, and a second position, in which the prongs are folded into the second top section, (ii) a port configured to receive the connector on the one end of the cable, and (iii) a transformer electrically connected to the prongs and to the port; andb. a backup battery. 6. The case system according to claim 5, wherein the second top section includes the backup battery and the case system further comprises a third top section, interchangeable with the first top section, including the adapter. 7. The case according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises a plurality of parallel conductive strips extending in a radial direction from the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly. 8. The case according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of contact pins are spring-loaded contact pins that pass through holes in the pawl. 9. A case for a mobile device, comprising: a housing configured to hold the mobile device;a device contact mounted on the housing and configured to provide electrical contact between the case and the mobile device;a retractable reel assembly contained within the housing, the retractable reel assembly having a notch on its circumferential periphery and holding a cable having a connector at one end;a pawl contained within the housing, the pawl having a claw portion and being pivotably mounted on the housing so that the claw portion engages the notch on the retractable reel assembly when the pawl is pivoted toward the retractable reel assembly; andan electrical contact system that electrically connects the cable on the retractable reel assembly to the device contact, wherein the electrical contact system comprises: a plurality of conductors on the retractable reel assembly, the plurality of conductors each having a respective contact portion adjacent to the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly; anda plurality of contact pins on the pawl,wherein the pawl is disposed so that the plurality of contact pins on the pawl contact respective conductors on the retractable reel assembly when the claw portion on the pawl is engaged with the notch on the retractable reel assembly. 10. The case according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises a plurality of parallel conductive strips extending in a radial direction from the circumferential periphery of the retractable reel assembly. 11. The case according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of contact pins are spring-loaded contact pins that pass through holes in the pawl. 12. The case according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a bottom section and a top section detachably separable from the bottom section, and wherein the top section contains an adapter having (i) prongs that are moveable between a first position, in which the prongs can be inserted into a wall outlet, and a second position, in which the prongs are folded into the top section, (ii) a port configured to receive the connector on the one end of the cable, and (iii) a transformer electrically connected to the prongs and to the port.