WO2005055642A2

WO2005055642A2 - Flat compact-type earphone line case, reel assembly thereof, and method for connecting earphone line to jack line

Info

Publication number: WO2005055642A2
Application number: PCT/KR2004/003131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun-Suk Park
Original assignee: Eun-Suk Park
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2004-12-01
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: TW200526058A; TWI266554B; WO2005055642A3

Abstract

Disclosed are a flat compact-type earphone line case (1 ), a reel assembly thereof, and a method for connecting an earphone line (9b) to a jack line (6a). The earphone line case(1 ) uses a flexible PCB strip having a predetermined width large enough to hold a degree of stiffness in order to connect an earphone line (9b) to a jack line (6a). An elastic member (e.g., a helical spring or a rubber band) reception portion and a flexible PCB strip reception portions are positioned adjacently to each other. A reel assembly having a reel (4) with an earphone line (9b) reception portion positioned on the exterior and a flexible PCB strip wounded thereon together with an elastic member is placed in the case (1). As such, the earphone case (1) can be made in a flat compact size. The earphone (9) or microphone (9a) earphone line (9b) can be drawn from the case (1) with one hand and wound in a compact manner to place it in the case (1) without any concern about speech interruption caused by twisting or poor contact of the jack line (6a).

Description

Description FLAT COMPACT-TYPE EARPHONE LINE CASE, REEL ASSEMBLY THEREOF, AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING EARPHONE LINE TO JACK LINE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a flat compact-type earphone line case, a reel assembly thereof, and a method for connecting a earphone line to a jack line, and more particularly to a flat compact-type earphone line case, a reel assembly thereof, and a method for connecting a earphone line to a jack line used for the same, wherein an earphone or a microphone earphone line and a jack line are received on the rear surface of an elastic member reception portion of a reel with a winding strip of a flexible PCB interposed between them while being electrically connected thereto, so that the earphone case can be made in a flat compact type and the earphone or microphone earphone line can be easily drawn from the case with one hand and wound in a compact manner to place it in the case without any concern about speech interruption caused by twisting or poor contact of the jack line, and the case can be easily attached to and used for mobile telephones, MP3 players, audios, or computers with excellent user convenience, portability, durability, and credibility. Background Art

[2] As generally known in the art, earphones are used to maintain privacy or communication security when using mobile telephones, to decrease hindrance to driving when driving vehicles, or to avoid bothering other people when using MP3 players or audios. In particular, when a microphone earphone is used to receive radios or TVs, to watch video clips, or to receive MP3 files or bell sound clips in the case of a mobile telephone and a call is made from the exterior, a speech selection switch can be pressed to directly connect to the speech line and receive the call. As such, earphones are used for various purposes.

[3] When such an earphone is used as a single item, it is inconvenient to carry and the earphone line may often be twisted or tied in a knot when carrying or using. In addition, the drooping earphone line frequently bothers other people when used in public transportation.

[4] Conventional technologies to solve these problems are disclosed in Korean Registered Utility Model Nos. 02007499, 0170150, and 0191754 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). [5] Korean Registered Utility Model No. 0207499 proposes an earphone line case 1 configured as shown in HGs. 1 and 2.

[6] The conventional earphone line case 1 includes a body 2 having a protruding core portion 3 at the center thereof, a reel 4 contained in the interior, an earphone 9, a microphone 9a, and a jack 6. The reel 4 has a cylindrical body 5, a helical spring 4a positioned in the interior of the cylindrical body 5 with an end fixed to the protruding core portion 3, and earphone line 9b and jack line 6a wounded on the exterior thereof while being connected to the earphone 9 and the jack 6, respectively.

[7] The body 2 has a push button 8 elastically supported on a side of the top thereof by a leaf spring 8b and a stopper 8a positioned on the interior of an end of the push button 8 and adapted to abut the outer peripheral surface of the reel 4.

[8] When the earphone 9 is used, the earphone line 9b which has been wounded on the reel 4 is slowly untied by pulling it toward the exterior. After using the earphone 9, the push button 8 positioned on a side of the top of the body 2 is pressed to release the reel 4 from rotation constraint. The reel 4 is then rotated by the elastic restoration force from the helical spring 5a in such a direction that it winds the earphone line 9b. In this manner, the earphone line 9b is automatically wound on the reel 4 and contained in the body 2.

[9] However, the earphone line case 1 according to the prior art has a serious problem in that the earphone line 9b and the jack line 6a are integrally connected to each other and wound on a single reel 4 and, when the earphone line 9b is drawn, rotation of the reel 4 causes the jack line 9a to be wounded in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the jack 6 is plugged into the earphone socket of a mobile telephone or MP3 player for use and the earphone line 9b is drawn, the rotation of the reel 4 is hindered and the earphone line 9b is not easily drawn. The earphone line 9b and the jack line 6a may even be severely twisted, if the earphone line 9b is drawn forcibly, and may not be properly wound when twisted. Furthermore, if the earphone line 9b is wounded while severely twisted, the earphone 9 severely rotates and is very likely to be damaged.

[10] In an attempt to solve above problems, Korean Registered Utility Model No. 0170150 proposes an earphone line case 1 ' configured as shown in HGs. 3 and 4.

[11] The conventional earphone line case 1 ' includes a body 2 having an earphone reception chamber 9 ' positioned on a side thereof, a reel 4 having a cylindrical body 5 contained in the interior, and a PCB which abuts and faces the reel 4.

[12] In the conventional earphone line case 1 ' , the earphone line 9b and the jack line 6a are physically separated from each other, in order to solve the problems of their poor winding and drawing, and a rotational contact terminal mode is adopted for electrical contact between them.

[13] More specifically, the earphone line 9b connected to the earphone 9 and the microphone 9a is substantially longer than the jack line 6a connected to the jack 6; the earphone line 9b is wounded on the outer peripheral edge of the core portion (shaft) 3 of the reel 4; point terminals 9c are formed by soldering on a side (right side of reel 4 in HG. 4) opposite to the helical spring (not shown) with the same number as the inner wires of the earphone line 9b in such a manner that they are positioned with a predetermined spacing in the centrifugal direction and are electrically connected to the respective inner wires; and corresponding inner wires of the shorter jack line 6a are electrically connected to respective circular line terminals 4b on the PCB 4a via conductive traces 4c, which physically contact the corresponding circular line terminals 4b.

[14] Therefore, the PCB 4a having the jack line 6b connected thereto does not rotate but remains stationary regardless of the rotation of the reel 4 caused by the drawing or winding of the earphone line 9b. Even during rotation, respective point terminals 9c on the reel 4 travel along a predetermined trajectory while physically contacting the corresponding circular line terminals 4b on the PCB 4a. As such, the earphone line 9b or the jack line 6b is prevented from twisting.

[15] However, above-mentioned conventional earphone line case or other similar conventional earphone line cases 1 ' have a serious problem in that, since a plurality of point terminals 9c formed on the reel 4 and a plurality of corresponding circular line terminals 4b formed on the PCB 4a are in a terminal contact with each other, the point terminals 9c may wear and/or the PCB 4a may deform as the number of rotation of the reel 4 accumulates during service and the contact between the contact terminals is very likely to degrade as dusts or alien substances penetrate and integrates. Accordingly, the service life of the product is very short. In addition, the line may be easily interrupted during speech or hearing. This seriously deteriorates the credibility of the product.

[16] Furthermore, the earphone line cases 1 ' have an inevitably increased thickness because a thicker hard PCB 4a is adopted, protruding point terminals 9c are formed on the reel 4, and the inner wires of the jack 6 must be soldered on the PCB 4a. The earphone line cases 1 ' also have a relatively complex structure and a large size. Therefore, they are inconvenient to carry and use together with mobile telephones or MP3 players and are limitedly used for hands^ree units for vehicles.

[17] Korean Registered Utility Model No. 0191754 proposes an earphone line case 1 ' as shown in FIG. 5. As in the case of the above-mentioned Korean Registered Utility Model No. 0170150, the earphone line 9b and the jack line 6a are physically separated from each other, in order to solve the problems of poor winding and drawing, and a rotational contact terminal mode is adopted for electrical contact between them.

[18] Although not shown in the drawing, the earphone line case 1 ' has an earphone line winding reel and a jack line winding reel respectively positioned on the left and right sides of a PCB, which has a circular line terminal formed on both surfaces thereof, and a contact terminal formed on a lateral surface of the respective reels, which face the PCB, by means of a brush for continuous contact with the circular line terminal regardless of the rotation of the reels. However, the earphone line case 1 ' is far from being flat and has the same basic structure and problems as have already been mentioned with regard to Korean Registered utility Model No. 0170150, and the repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[19] Therefore, it feels keenly the necessity of an earphone line case which is flat and compact enough to be easily attached to mobile telephones that have been increasingly compact and carried together with them without any inconvenience, which has no concern about twisting or distortion of the earphone or the jack line, and which has effectively solved the problem of speech or hearing interruption caused by poor contact. Technical Solution

[20] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and the first object of the present invention is to provide an earphone line case having excellent credibility and durability by effectively preventing an earphone, a microphone earphone line, or a jack line from twisting and completely removing any concern about failure, degradation, or interruption of speech caused by poor contact.

[21] The second object of the present invention is to provide a flat compact-type earphone line case having excellent user convenience by enabling an earphone or a microphone earphone line to be easily drawn from the case with one hand and wound in a compact manner to place it in the case.

[22] The third object of the present invention is to provide an earphone line case having excellent portability by being able to be easily attached to and removed from small mobile telephones or MP3 players and to be conveniently carried while being attached thereto. [23] The fourth object of the present invention is to provide an earphone line case which can be made in a flat compact type and which is compatible with mono earphones for hearing voice from mobile telephones and with stereo earphones for hearing music from MP3 players.

[24] The fifth object of the present invention is to provide a reel assembly which can be effectively applied to the earphone line cases according to the first and third objects.

[25] The sixth object of the present invention is to provide a method for connecting an earphone line to a jack line which can be effectively applied to the earphone line cases according to the first to fourth objects and the reel assembly according to the fifth objects.

[26] In order to accomplish the first object, there is provided an earphone line case comprising: upper and lower cases forming a jack line opening and an earphone insertion opening upon engaging with each other and having a protruding core portion positioned at the center thereof; a reel positioned in a region defined by the upper and lower cases in such a manner that it can be rotated by an elastic member and having an earphone line reception portion formed in the outer circumferential region and a flexible PCB strip reception portion formed in the inner circumferential region; an earphone line received in the earphone line reception portion in such a manner that it can be drawn from and wound in the earphone line reception portion and fixed to the reel with one end electrically connected to an earphone or a microphone earphone and the other end electrically connected to a flexible PCB strip; a flexible PCB strip received in the flexible PCB strip reception portion in such a manner that it can be reversibly wound in a compact or loose state according to the direction of rotation of the reel with one end connected to the earphone line and the other end fixed to the protruding core portion; and a jack line fixed to the protruding core portion with one end electrically connected to a jack and the other end electrically connected to the other end of the flexible PCB strip.

[27] In order to accomplish the second object, there is provided the reel of the earphone line case having a rim, an earphone line reception portion formed by both lateral walls extending from both ends of the outer peripheral edge of the rim to the exterior, and a flexible PCB strip reception portion and an elastic member reception portion formed on both sides about a disk-shaped wall extending from the middle portion of the rim to the interior, respectively

[28] In order to accomplish the third object, there is provided the lower case of the earphone line case having a thin attachment plate such as a magnet plate, a magnetic resin plate, or a double^aced tape, etc. formed on the outer surface thereof for easy attachment to or removal from mobile telephones, MP3 players, computers, or audios such as CD players.

[29] In order to accomplish the fourth object, there is provided the earphone line case, wherein another earphone is connected integrally or via a connector to a predetermined location of the earphone or microphone earphone via a branch line which branches off from an end of the earphone line connected to the earphone or microphone phone.

[30] In order to accomplish the fifth object, there is provided a reel assembly comprising: the reel based on the second object; at least one elastic member received in the elastic member reception portion with one end fixed to the rim and the other end fixed to a protruding core portion of any one of lower and upper cases; and a flexible PCB strip received in the flexible PCB strip reception portion in a winding state with one end fixed to the rim while being electrically connected to an earphone line and the other end fixed to a protruding core portion of any one of the lower and upper cases while being electrically connected to a jack line.

[31] In order to accomplish the sixth object, there is provided a method for connecting an earphone line to a jack line comprising the steps of: exposing respective inner wires from each end of an earphone line and a jack line; providing a flexible PCB strip comprising conductive traces electrically connected to the respective inner wires and a flexible resin film strip having a predetermined width conesponding to a degree of stiffness large enough to protect the conductive traces from external environments and to prevent twisting before, after, or concunently with the step of exposing the inner wires; and connecting the respective inner wires from an end of the earphone line to the respective conductive traces on an end of the flexible PCB strip by soldering or via connectors, as well as the respective inner wires from an end of the jack line to the respective conductive traces on the other end by soldering or via connectors for electrical connection.

[32] Description of Drawings

[33] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[34] HGs. 1 and 2 are respectively a perspective view and an exploded top view showing a conventional earphone case;

[35] HG. 3 is a sectional view showing another conventional earphone case and HG. 4 illustrates an electrical connection method thereof;

[36] HG. 5 is a perspective view showing another conventional earphone case;

[37] HG. 6 is a perspective view showing a flat compact-type earphone hne case according to the present invention;

[38] HG. 7 is a sectional view showing a flat compact-type earphone hne case having a reel assembly embedded therein according to the present invention;

[39] HGs. 8 and 9 are front and rear sectional views of a flat compact-type earphone line case having a reel assembly embedded therein according to the present invention, respectively;

[40] HG. 10 illustrates a method for connecting an earphone hne to a jack line according to the present invention; and

[41] HG. 11 illustrates a connection state of an earphone line according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode

[42] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted.

[43] HG. 6 is a perspective view showing a flat compact-type earphone line case 10 according to the present invention and HG. 7 is a sectional view showing a flat compact-type earphone line case having a reel assembly embedded therein according to the present invention. The earphone line case 10 includes a lower case 11 ; an upper case 12; a reel 20 having an earphone line reception portion 21, a helical spring reception portion 22 (or an elastic member reception portion which may be a means such as a rubber band), and a flexible PCB strip reception portion 23; a push button 17; and a earphone hne 9b and a jack line 16a connected to each other with a flexible PCB strip 30 interposed between them.

[44] As used herein, an 'earphone line' refers to the line of an earphone or microphone earphone to which a switch can be attached.

[45] When the lower and upper cases 11 and 12 engage with each other, an earphone insertion opening 15 and a jack line opening 14 are formed on the top thereof. An elastic ring (not shown) may be fitted into the earphone insertion opening 15 so that an earphone 19 or a microphone 19a, to which a switch may be attached, can be inserted and fixed therein. Alternatively, the earphone 19 or the microphone 19a may have a sheath member made up of elastic material.

[46] The lower and upper cases 11 and 12 have protruding core portions 1 lb and 12c formed at the center thereof, respectively, both of which are screw-coupled to each other by a fixation screw 13.

[47] The lower case 11 may have an attachment plate 11a formed on the outer surface thereof for easy attachment to or removal from mobile telephones, MP3 players, computers, or audios such as CD players. The attachment plate 1 la may be any kind of thin plate including a magnet plate, a magnetic resin plate, or a double^aced tape.

[48] The shape of the earphone line case 10 defined by the engagement of the lower and upper cases 11 and 12 is not limited in the present invention and can be chosen by those skilled in the art, for example, from a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a heart, a lozenge, a pentagon, a hexagon, a star, a sphere, and a water drop, within the scope of the present invention regardless of outer appearance and material as long as it follows the basic construction of the present invention.

[49] Alternatively, the upper case 12 may have concave grooves 12a formed on the inner surface thereof with tooth-shaped portions 12b positioned along the wiring line in such a manner that the extension of the jack line 16a, an end of which is fixed to the protruding core portion 12c, does not interfere with the rotational movement of the reel 20. The jack line 16a may then be inserted therein. However, this configuration is not limited in the present invention.

[50] The construction of the reel 20 will now be described. The earphone line reception portion 21 of the reel 20, in the embodiment shown, is formed in the outer circumferential region of the reel 20 in the shape of a cylindrical fturow by means of a rim 20b and both lateral walls 20a and 20c extending from both ends of the outer peripheral edge of the rim 20b to the exterior.

[51] The helical spring reception portion 22 of the reel 20 is formed in the inner circumferential region of the reel 20 in the shape of a cylindrical furrow by means of the rim 20b, a disk-shaped wall 20d extending approximately from the middle portion of the rim 20b to the center, and the protruding core portion 1 lb.

[52] The flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 of the reel 20 is formed in a position opposite to the helical spring reception portion 22 in the shape of a cylindrical furrow by means of the rim 20b, the disk-shaped wall 20d extending approximately from the middle portion of the rim 20b to the center, and the protruding core portion 12c.

[53] As such, the helical spring reception portion 21 and the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 are divided by the disk-shaped wall 20d extending approximately from the middle portion of the rim 20b to the center and are positioned in both regions. This improves space utilization efficiency and contributes to making the earphone line case 10 in a flat type.

[54] The helical spring reception portion 22 and the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 may be positioned opposite to the configuration shown in the drawing, and the position is not limited in the present invention but can be chosen by those skilled in the art.

[55] Although not shown in the drawing, the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 may be positioned near the lower case 11 and the helical spring reception portion 22 near the upper case in such a manner that a part of the upper case 12 on which the earphone line reception portion 21 is positioned is made thinner and a part thereof on which the helical spring reception portion 22 is positioned maintains the same thickness for improved flatness.

[56] Although only a helical spring reception portion 22 is shown in the drawing, a reception portion adapted to receive other elastic means including a wound rubber band, in addition to a helical spring, may of course be formed, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that any elastic means can be used as long as it can effectively wind the earphone line 19b by means of the rotation of the reel 20.

[57] The earphone line 19b is substantially longer than the jack line 16a and the majority of the length thereof is wound on the earphone hne reception portion 21. An end of the earphone line 19b is connected to the earphone 19 and/or the microphone 19a and the other end thereof is fixed to the rim 20b of the reel 20 while being electrically connected to an end of the flexible PCB strip 30, which is wound in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23, via a solder ball or connector 24a.

[58] An end of the jack line 16a is connected to the jack 16 and the other end thereof is fixed to the protruding core portion 12c of the reel 20 while being electrically connected to the other end of the flexible PCB strip 30, which is wound in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23, via a solder ball or connector 24. As such, the solder ball or connector 24 as an electrical contact plays the role of a fixed terminal and does not rotate.

[59] As is clear from the above descriptions, a reel assembly according to the present invention includes a reel 20 configured as above, a helical spring (elastic member for rotation of the reel) 40 received in a helical spring (elastic member) reception portion 22, and a flexible PCB strip 30 received in a flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 while being wound. An end of the flexible PCB strip 30 is fixed to the reel 20 while being electrically connected to an earphone line 19b and can rotate together with the reel 20, while the other end thereof is fixed to a protruding core portion 1 lb or 12c of an upper case 12 or a lower case 11 while being electrically connected to a jack line 16a and does not rotate even when the reel 20 rotates.

[60] Therefore, the flexible PCB strip 30 can reversibly repeat a 'compact winding state' or 'loose winding state' in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23.

[61] As used herein, the 'compact winding state' refers to a state wherein the flexible PCB strip 30 is compactly wound in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 with a smaller radius and there is substantially no space between the wound flexible PCB strip 30, while the 'loose winding state' refers to a state wherein the flexible PCB strip 30 is loosely wound in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 with a larger radius and there is substantially much space between the wound flexible PCB strip 30.

[62] In the present invention, the 'compact' winding state may correspond to either a case wherein the earphone line 19b is wound in the earphone reception portion 21 (i.e., when the earphone is not used) or a case wherein the earphone line 19b is drawn from the earphone reception portion 21 (i.e., when the earphone is used). The 'loose' winding state may correspond to either a case wherein the earphone line 19b is drawn from the earphone reception portion 21 (i.e., when the earphone is used) or a case wherein the earphone line 19b is wound in the earphone reception portion 21 (i.e., when the earphone is not used).

[63] HGs. 8 and 9 are front and rear sectional views of a flat compact-type earphone line case having a reel assembly embedded therein according to the present invention, respectively. HG. 8 is a sectional view seen from such a direction that the earphone line reception portion 21 and the helical spring reception portion 22 are open (left side of HG. 7) and HG. 9 is a sectional view seen from such a direction that the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 is open (right side of HG. 7).

[64] It should be noted that the position of the helical spring reception portion 22 and the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 is not limited but can be chosen by those skilled in the art, and the earphone line reception portion 21 and the flexible PCB strip reception 23 may open in the same direction within the scope of the present invention.

[65] Referring to HGs. 8 and 9, a lower case 11 has a reel 20 positioned therein and a semi-circular portion of a jack line opening 14 and an earphone insertion opening 15 formed on the top thereof. A push button 17 is positioned in such a manner that it can be actuated by an elastic member 17a and has a stopper 17b attached to an end thereof so that it abuts the outer peripheral surface of the reel 20, when the press button is not pressed, and prevents the reel 20 from rotating arbitrarily.

[66] Of course, the reel 20 may have a plurality of or a number of corrugated protrusions (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof (i.e., outer peripheral edge surface of both lateral wall 20a and 20c) for smooth stopping of the reel 20.

[67] If a user pulls the earphone 19 attached to the microphone 19a from the earphone line case 10 to use it, the earphone line 19b, which has been wound in the earphone line reception portion 21, is drawn to the exterior and causes the reel 20 to rotate (The elastic force from the elastic member 17a causes the stopper 17b to press the outer peripheral surface of the reel 20. This prevents the earphone hne 19b from being rewound and maintains the drawn state). At the same time, the helical spring 40 is elastically wound, which has an end 41 fitted into the protruding core portion 1 lb and the other end fixed to the rim 20b. In addition, the flexible PCB strip 30, which has been wounded in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 in a 'compact winding state' as defined previously, may be converted into a 'loose winding state' as defined previously or may be converted from a 'loose winding state' into a 'compact winding state' (refer to HG. 9).

[68] If the user finishes using the earphone 19 and presses the press button 17 to rewind the earphone line 19b and contain it in the earphone line case 10, the helical spring 40 which has been elastically wound becomes loose and rotates the reel 20 in the opposite direction (Removal of the elastic force from the elastic member 17a causes the stopper 17b to be spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the reel 20 and the wound earphone line 19b to rewind). The earphone line 19b, which has been drawn, is then rewound around the second rim 20b and the flexible PCB strip 30, which has been wound in the flexible PCB strip reception portion 23 in a 'loose winding state' as defined previously, may be converted into a 'compact winding state' as defined previously or may be converted from a 'compact winding state' into a 'loose winding state' (refer to HG. 9).

[69] Therefore, the rotational movement of the reel 20 related to the drawing and winding of the earphone line 19b and the fixation of the jack line 16b (refer to HG. 7) of the jack 16 to the protruding fixation portion 12c without rotation can be independent of each other by means of the reversible winding movement between a 'compact winding state' and a 'loose winding state' of the flexible PCB strip 30 while maintaining a reliable electrical connection via the flexible PCB strip 30. This ef fectively prevents the microphone earphone line or the jack hne from twisting, fun- damentally removes any concern about failure, degradation, or interruption of speech caused by poor contact, and makes it possible to easily draw the earphone or the microphone earphone hne from the case with one hand and wind in a compact manner to place it in the case.

[70] In the drawings, reference numeral 12 refers to an upper case, 24 is a solder ball or connector, and 20d is a disk-shaped wall, and the jack line of the jack 16 is partially broken in the sectional view.

[71] A method for connecting an earphone line 19b to a jack line 16b according to the present invention will now be described briefly with reference to HG. 10.

[72] The connection method according to the present invention includes the following steps of:

[73] (A) Exposing inner wires

[74] Respective inner wires 16c and 19c including output terminals, ground terminals, and stereo terminals for speakers and microphones are exposed from ends of an earphone line 19b and a jack line 16b using suitable means known in the art.

[75] (B) Providing a flexible PCB strip

[76] Before, after, or concunently with the step of (A) exposing inner wires, a flexible PCB strip 30 is provided which includes conductive traces 32 electrically connected to the respective inner wires 16c and 19c and a flexible resin film strip 31 having a predetermined width and a conesponding degree of stiffness large enough to insulate the conductive traces 32 from one another, to protect them from the exterior, and to ef fectively prevent them from twisting in a direction perpendicular to the winding direction.

[77] (C) Making electrical connection

[78] Solder balls 33 are formed on the respective conductive traces 32 on an end of the flexible PCB strip 30 to electrically connect and fix them to the inner wires 19c from an end of the earphone line 19b. In addition, solder balls 33 are formed or connectors are fixedly connected on the respective conductive traces 32 on the other end of the flexible PCB strip 30 to electrically connect and fix them to the inner wires 16c from an end of the jack line 16b. As such, the earphone line 19b and the jack line 16b are electrically connected to each other with the flexible PCB strip 30 interposed between them.

[79] As a result, the earphone line 19b, the flexible PCB strip 30, and the jack line 16b are electrically connected to one another in a reliable manner without any concern about poor contact among them. [80] HG. 11 illustrates a connection state of an earphone line according to another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is substantially the same as shown in HG. 10, except for a stereo earphone 18 which is provided with a speaker 18c via a branch line 19e that branches off from an end of an earphone line 19b connected to a mono earphone 19. The differences will now be described.

[81] As shown in HG. 11, the other end of the earphone line 19b branches off and forms a branch line 19e having a number of inner wires 19d, as mentioned above, which is electrically connected to a connector 19c and which is connected to a stereo earphone 18 via an earphone jack 18a and a stereo earphone line 18b.

[82] Although the mono and stereo earphones 19 and 18 are separated from each other via the earphone jack 18a and the connector 19c, both earphones may be integral with each other via the branch hne 19e and the stereo earphone line 18b without using the earphone jack 18a and the connector 19c.

[83] Therefore, the earphone line 19b and the earphone stereo terminal line among the inner wires of the jack line 16b of voice and sound equipment are connected to each other via a second earphone 18 so that a user can hear the music from the sound equipment such as an MP3 player. Of course, the jack 16 is connected to the sound equipment such as an MP3 player. Industrial Applicability

[84] As mentioned above, the earphone line case according to the present invention uses a flexible PCB strip having a predetermined width large enough to hold a predetermined degree of stiffness in order to connect an earphone line to a jack line. An elastic member (e.g., a helical spring or a rubber band) reception portion and a flexible PCB strip reception portions are positioned adjacently to each other. A reel assembly having a reel with an earphone line reception portion positioned on the exterior and a flexible PCB strip wounded thereon together with an elastic member is placed in the case. As such, the earphone, the microphone earphone line, or the jack line is ef fectively prevented from twisting and any concern about failure, degradation, or interruption of speech caused by poor contact is fundamentally removed. This guarantees excellent credibility and durability. The earphone or microphone earphone line can be easily drawn from the case with one hand and wound in a compact manner to place it in the case, and thereby provides excellent user convenience. The case can be easily and simply attached to and removed from small mobile telephones or MP3 players and can be conveniently carried while being attached to them. This guarantees excellent portability. [85] It is also possible to simultaneously use a mono earphone and a stereo earphone while realizing flat compactness of the earphone case by connecting the mono earphone, which is connected to a flat compact-type earphone line case, to the stereo earphone in an integral or removable manner.

Claims

[ 1 ] 1. A reel assembly comprising : a reel having a rim, an earphone line reception portion formed by both lateral walls extending from both ends of the outer peripheral edge of the rim to the exterior, and a flexible PCB strip reception portion and an elastic member reception portion formed on both sides about a disk-shaped wall extending from the middle portion of the rim to the interior, respectively; at least one elastic member received in the elastic member reception portion with one end fixed to the rim and the other end fixed to a protruding core portion of any one of lower and upper cases; and a flexible PCB strip received in the flexible PCB strip reception portion in a winding state with one end fixed to the rim while being electrically connected to an earphone line and the other end fixed to a protruding core portion of any one of the lower and upper cases while being electrically connected to a jack line.

2. A reel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a helical spring or a rubber band.

3. An earphone line case comprising: upper and lower cases forming a jack line opening and an earphone insertion opening upon engaging with each other and having a protruding core portion positioned at the center thereof; a reel positioned in a region defined by the upper and lower cases in such a manner that it can be rotated by an elastic member and having an earphone line reception portion formed in the outer circumferential region and a flexible PCB strip reception portion formed in the inner circumferential region; an earphone line received in the earphone line reception portion in such a manner that it can be drawn from and wound in the earphone line reception portion and fixed to the reel with one end electrically connected to an earphone or a microphone earphone and the other end electrically connected to a flexible PCB strip; a flexible PCB strip received in the flexible PCB strip reception portion in such a manner that it can be reversibly wound in a compact or loose state according to the direction of rotation of the reel with one end connected to the earphone line and the other end fixed to the protruding core portion; and a jack line fixed to the protruding core portion with one end electrically connected to a jack and the other end electrically connected to the other end of the flexible PCB strip.

4. An earphone line case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the earphone line reception portion is formed by a rim and both lateral walls extending from both ends of the outer peripheral edge of the rim to the exterior, the flexible PCB strip reception portion is formed by the rim and a disk-shaped wall extending from the middle portion of the rim to the interior, and an elastic member reception portion is formed in a position opposite to the flexible PCB strip reception portion about the disk-shaped wall.

5. An earphone line case as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastic member reception portion is a helical spring reception portion.

6. An earphone line case as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, further comprising a press button adapted to continuously abut the outer peripheral surface of the reel in a normal state and to be released from the abutment state when pressed so that the reverse rotation of the reel is prevented by the elastic member, which is elastically wound when the earphone hne is drawn, and the reverse rotation of the reel is made possible when pressed to place the earphone line in the case.

7. An earphone line case as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, wherein another earphone is connected integrally or via a connector to a predetermined location of the earphone or microphone earphone via a branch line which branches off from an end of the earphone line connected to the earphone or microphone phone.

8. An earphone line case as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of the two earphones or microphone earphones is a mono earphone and the other is a stereo earphone.

9. A method for connecting an earphone line to a jack hne comprising the steps of: exposing respective inner wires from each end of an earphone line and a jack hne; providing a flexible PCB strip comprising conductive traces electrically connected to the respective inner wires and a flexible resin film strip having a predetermined width conesponding to a degree of stiffness large enough to protect the conductive traces from external environments and to prevent twisting before, after, or concunently with the step of exposing the inner wires; and connecting the respective inner wires from an end of the earphone line to the respective conductive traces on an end of the flexible PCB strip by soldering or via connectors, as well as the respective inner wires from an end of the jack line to the respective conductive traces on the other end by soldering or via connectors for electrical connection.