Tether arrangement for portable electronic device, such as a lap-top computer

• US 20030075578A1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Benjamin Abelow
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Abelow
• Inventors: Abelow, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 6,883,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1397 Article held by flexible connector [e.g., chain]

Abstract

A tether arrangement for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a person who is using the device, on the lap, while in a seated position. In one embodiment, a flexible cord with two ends connects on one of its ends to the electronic device and on the other of its ends to the belt loop of the user. In another embodiment, a single long tethering cord extends around the back of the user, with both ends being connected to the electronic device. Tethers may connect to the electronic device by permanent attachment, by connection terminals on the device, by elements that encircle a portion of the device, or by other means. Tethers may connect to users by clips or by other means. Tethers may also be rigid or semi-rigid, such as plastic strips or rods. Two or more tethers may be used together. Means for varying the effective length of the tethers may be present. These tether arrangements provide for multiple functions, including helping prevent the electronic device from falling off the lap.

Claims

1. A tether arrangement for connecting a lap-usable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a seated person using the device on the lap, comprising:

a tethering element,

first connector means for securing said element to the electronic device, and

second connector means for securing said element to the user of the device

the tethering element permitting the electronic device to rest on the user'"'"'s lap when the user is seated and preventing the device from slipping off the user'"'"'s lap onto the floor.

2. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the tethering element is a flexible cord or strap.

3. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the tethering element has two ends, the first connector means is located at one end of the tethering element, and the second connector means is located at the other end of the element.

4. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 including two of said tethering elements, and connector means for securing each element to both the device and the user.

5. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 4 including a spanning member for extending around the user'"'"'s body, means for connecting the spanning member to one of the tethering elements, and means for connecting the spanning element to the other of the tethering elements.

6. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 5 including means for adjusting the effective length of the spanning member.

7. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the effective length of the tethering element.

8. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 7 including a plurality of said tethering elements, and means for adjusting the length of each of said elements.

9. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 7 wherein the tethering element is flexible, the length-adjusting means includes a mechanism for forming a length of the tethering element into a loop, and means for permitting the length of the loop to be adjusted so as to change the effective length of the tethering element.

10. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 7 wherein the length-adjusting means includes a mechanism for retracting and storing the tethering element.

11. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 10 wherein the length-adjusting mechanism includes a spring-loaded reel upon which the tethering element can be wound.

12. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the second connector means is adapted to be attached to the clothing of the user.

13. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 12 wherein the second connector means is a clip for attachment to a belt loop of the user'"'"'s trousers.

14. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the first connector means is a flexible member that encircles a portion of the electronic device.

15. A tether arrangement for connecting a lap-usable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a seated person using the device on the lap, comprising:

a tethering element, and

means for securing the tethering element to the electronic device,

the tethering element being long enough to extend around the back of the

user at level between the user'"'"'s head and buttocks,

whereby the tether arrangement is capable of preventing the electronic device from slipping off the user'"'"'s lap and onto the floor.

16. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 15 including means for adjusting the effective length of the tethering element.

17. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 15, wherein the means for securing the tethering element to the electronic device is a flexible member that encircles a portion of the electronic device.

18. A tether arrangement and lap-usable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, cooperable therewith, comprising:

a connection terminal built into the electronic device,

and a tethering element cooperable with the connection terminal,

said tethering element capable of securing the electronic device to the user.

19. A tether arrangement and lap-usable electronic device as defined in claim 18, including a second connection terminal built into the electronic device and a second tethering element cooperable with the second connection terminal.

20. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 18 wherein the tethering element is flexible and the tether arrangement includes a means for retracting and storing the tethering element.

21. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 18 wherein the means for retracting and storing the tethering element includes a spring-loaded reel upon which the tethering element can be wound.

22. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 18 wherein the connection terminal includes a receptacle hole in the external surface of the electronic device, and the tethering element has a connector means including an insertion part shaped to fit into the hole, and a locking mechanism associated with the hole that can secure the insertion part within the hole.

23. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 18 wherein the connection terminal includes a recess in the housing and a post extending across the recess, and the attachment member has a connector means including a clip adapted to be attached to the post.

24. A tether arrangement and lap-usable electronic device as defined in claim 19 including means to adjust the effective length of the tethering elements.

25. A tether arrangement for connecting a lap-usable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a seated person using the device, comprising:

a flexible member that encircles a portion of the electronic device, and

a tethering element for securing the encircling member to the user.

26. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 25, including a second tethering element for securing the member to the user.

27. A tether arrangement as defined in claim 25, including a means for adjusting the circumference of the encircling member.

28. A tether arrangement for connecting a lap-usable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a seated person using the device on the lap, the tether arrangement preventing the electronic device from slipping off the lap and falling onto the floor.