#.fn.extend question

#.fn.extend question

I have the following extention:
$.fn.extend({
    convertToAry: function () {
        return $.map(this, function (o, i) {
            return $.map(o, function (o, i) {
                if (o.indexOf('System.') == -1) { return o }
            })
        });                
    }
})

When I use:
$(thead).convertToAry()

it doesn't convert the thead object unless I do this:
thead = $(thead).convertToAry()

I know it's probably a simple fix, any help would be appreciated.