Gravity type retractable cords?

[newmantjn]

Hi;
I'm working on a cabinet for the local University to run the students home brew projects out of.  It is an old Berzserk cabinet that was re-themed to something else.  Now I stripped it out and will be reinstalling the following, per the professors specs:
1. Tower Computer
2. Keyboard
3. 19" Wide aspect ratio computer monitor
4. 4 xbox 360 controllers

For the controllers, the professor wants them passively retractable, so they do not hang out and get tangled.   I know USB retractors are available, but I don' think they would hold up.  Also, since you need to do something to get them to retract, I feel the students wouldn't do that, and they would still be a tangled mess.  I was thinking about something like you use under your kitchen counter for the hose/faucet on some of those single squirter types, but I would really like some suggestions.  We will be running 4 controllers.

Thanks!!

[yotsuya]

Those under-sink hoses don't retract so much as use a weight to pull the hose back down into the fixture. There's nothing rolling the hose up.

While I think it's a cool idea (and I'm planning to do something similar), why use an arcade cab for something that sounds like a console project? Just curious.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

[PL1]

How about using a pulley, weight, stop bracket, and a dog leash spring as a shock absorber in case someone tries to pull the controller past the point where the weight hits the stop bracket?   



As always, diagram is not drawn to scale.   


Scott

[newmantjn]

Those under-sink hoses don't retract so much as use a weight to pull the hose back down into the fixture. There's nothing rolling the hose up.

While I think it's a cool idea (and I'm planning to do something similar), why use an arcade cab for something that sounds like a console project? Just curious.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

- They want the machine out in a public area, so this years students can look at last years projects.
- The cabinet has a "cool factor" that they are looking for.
- The cabinet was free, and comes with a lot of parts I need.
- That was what they requested, I'm doing the fabrication.

[newmantjn]

How about using a pulley, weight, stop bracket, and a dog leash spring as a shock absorber in case someone tries to pull the controller past the point where the weight hits the stop bracket?   



As always, diagram is not drawn to scale.   


Scott

This is sort of what I was thinking about.  You gave me some good food for thought.  I was also thinking the cord may need to go in flexible conduit. 

I like the strain relief and shock absorber aspects of your design.

[lilshawn]

How about using a pulley, weight, stop bracket, and a dog leash spring as a shock absorber in case someone tries to pull the controller past the point where the weight hits the stop bracket?   



As always, diagram is not drawn to scale.   


Scott

This is sort of what I was thinking about.  You gave me some good food for thought.  I was also thinking the cord may need to go in flexible conduit. 

I like the strain relief and shock absorber aspects of your design.

see if you can get some stainless shower head hose. it's pretty tough and flexible. it may mean cutting and reattaching your USB cable though. (unless you can detach it from the inside of the controller)

[BigCurtis]

One thing to consider is no one is going to want to fight the weighted pulley system while they play, either. Simply need a way, or something similar to a tape measure friction lock, pull out, cable stays where it is because it's pinched between two surfaces, press the button and the cable retracts.

Or just go with external USB ports and a storage drawer.

[thomas_surles]

Why not just use a retractable usb extention.

[yotsuya]

After a short while,  they stop retracting. Take it from me.

[thomas_surles]

After a short while,  they stop retracting. Take it from me.

It does look cheap.

[zobook]

After a short while,  they stop retracting. Take it from me.

It does look cheap.

Not only look cheap, are cheap, in a "is a pile of crap" kinda cheap. The same goes for those micro-mouses with retractable cable, are very fragile and prone to fail.

[Ortizimo]

in case you get this...i've used retractable ID badge assembly...just a thought.

[shaolindrunkard]

If your just using Xbox 360 controllers, why not use wireless ones?

[Generic Eric]

After a short while,  they stop retracting. Take it from me.

It does look cheap.

I used one in the car when I listened to podcasts.  It shocked me a bit.

[ivwshane]

I might be late but what the OP wants is called a security tether.

http://www.southernimperial.com/security-tethers-c-320_326.html