Apparatus for secure display of small electronic devices having an essential signal or power cord

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for secure display of a portable electronic device wherein the device has an attached electrically conductive cable that is integral to the device and essential to the operation thereof, the device cable having a first end connected to the device and a second end, and an intermediate section, the apparatus comprising: device support means normally supporting the device and means for extending and retracting the device cable. The means for extending and retracting the cable includes pulley means having a first set of pulleys having a fixed position and a second set of linearly movable spring loaded pulleys. As the device is moved from the device support the second set of pulleys is urged towards the first set of pulleys thereby extending the device cable against the resistance of the spring loading, thereby creating retractive force for retraction of the cable. When the device is released the cable is retracted to the device support until halted by a cable stop. Headsets and earbud sets are examples of devices that are suitable for display on the apparatus.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an apparatus for securely displaying, marketing and demonstrating small electronic devices having a signal or power cord that is an integral part of the device and essential to its operation, wherein the device is secured to the apparatus by means of the signal or power cord. The apparatus allows consumer devices such as headphones, and small appliances and that require a long wire connection, to be displayed neatly without drooping wires that are unsightly and also can become entangled.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 AND 1.98[0004]The display and demonstration of consumer electronic devices is an essential part of the sales process in today's marketplace. An apparatus that provides for the secure display and demonstration of small battery powered hand held electronic devices such as cell phones is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,382 i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus to prevent entanglement of the long wire connections that are signal or power cables integral to a small electronic device while such a device is on public display and available for examination.

[0016]It is also an objective of the present invention that such apparatus be easily and conveniently usable by a potential customer.

[0017]Another objective of the present invention is that the aforesaid apparatus be easily and conveniently usable by store personnel who must from time-to-time change the device on display.

[0018]Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for securely displaying, marketing and demonstrating small electronic devices having a long wire connection that is a signal or power cord that is an integral part of the device.

[0019]Yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide a method to maintain the long wire connections that are signal or power cables integral to such small electronic devices in a neat presentable manner while such a device is on public display and available for examination.

[0020]Yet a still further objective of the present invention is to provide a method to prevent entanglement of the long wire connections that are signal or power cables integral to a small electronic device while such a device is on public display and available for examination.

Problems solved by technology

Apart from the issue of discouraging pilferage of such items it is often difficult to maintain a neat attractive display for devices such as headphones or headsets having long wire connections since after repeated handling by potential customers during the course of the day these wires or cables tend to droop and become entangled creating an unsightly display.

Use of a separate security cable and clamping device with such devices can produce an unsightly display and cause entanglement of the long wire signal / power connections integral to such devices with the security cable, thereby discouraging potential customers from examining these devices.

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