LEASH FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20130148295A1
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KENU Incorporated
• Original Assignee: KENU Incorporated
• Inventors: Minn, Kenneth Y., Yao, David E., Huang, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,164,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.59
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1397 Article held by flexible connector [e.g., chain]

Abstract

One embodiment of the leash for an electronic device, with a data port, comprises: a connector; a singular cord; an elastomeric coating; a protective element; and a washer. The connector includes a broad face, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port, and a latch configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port. The singular cord includes a first and second end and defines a spring-loop junction therebetween, wherein the second end is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction to form a loop. The elastomeric coating is arranged over the cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction and defines a spring section therebetween. The protective element is arranged over the spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord. The washer couples the first end to the connector, the cord extending from the broad face of the connector.

Claims

1. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising:

a connector including a broad face, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port, and a latch, operable by a user, configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port;

a singular cord including a first end and a second end and defining a spring-loop junction therebetween, wherein the second end is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction to form a loop;

an elastomeric coating arranged over the cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction, the elastomeric coating defining a spring section of a coil geometry therebetween;

a protective element arranged over the spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord; and

a washer coupling the first end to the connector, the cord extending from the broad face of the connector.

2. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord comprises a fibrous material.

3. The leash of claim 2, wherein the cord is woven Kevlar.

4. The leash of claim 3, wherein the loop is coated in a UV-resistant material.

5. The leash of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric coating is a thermoplastic polyurethane.

6. The leash of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric coating extends from the first end, over the spring section, and up to the spring-loop junction and is substantially uniform in cross-section thereon.

7. The leash of claim 1, wherein the loop is of a size permitting the connector to pass fully through the loop.

8. The leash of claim 1, wherein the spring section is of a circular coil geometry.

9. The leash of claim 1, wherein the protective element is molded over the spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord.

10. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord further comprises a first knot proximal to the spring-loop junction and the second end is knotted around the cord, in a second knot, between the first knot and the spring-loop junction.

11. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord passes through the broad face of the connector and the washer retains the first end within the connector.

12. The leash of claim 11, wherein the broad face defines a bore, and wherein the elastomeric coating further defines a linear section between the first end and the spring section, the linear section passing through the bore perpendicular to the intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port of the electronic device.

13. The leash of claim 11, wherein the cord further comprises a knot proximal to the first end and retaining the washer on the cord.

14. The leash of claim 13, wherein the knot is coated in an adhesive.

15. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord includes a linear section between the first end and the spring section, coated in the elastomeric material, and joined to the connector to extend therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port of the electronic device.

16. The leash of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first detent adjacent to the broad face, the first detent coupled to the latch and engageable by the user to release the insertable member from the data port.

17. The leash of claim 16, wherein the connector further comprises a second latch operable by the user and configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port, the connector further comprising a second detent adjacent to the broad face opposite the first detent, the second detent coupled to the second latch and engageable by the user to release the insertable member from the data port.

18. The leash of claim 16, wherein the broad face defines a bore through which the cord passes, the bore being more proximal to the insertable member than the first detent.

19. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising:

a connector including a planar broad face, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port, and a latch, operable by a user, configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port;

a singular cord including a first end and a second end, the cord defining a spring-loop junction therebetween and a first knot proximal to the spring-loop junction, wherein the second end is knotted around the cord, in a second knot, between the first knot and the spring-loop junction to form a loop;

an elastomeric coating arranged over the cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction, the elastomeric coating defining a spring section of a coil geometry and a linear section between the first end and the spring section;

a protective element arranged over the spring-loop junction, the first knot, and the second end of the cord; and

a washer retaining the first end within the connector, the linear section passing through the broad face substantially perpendicular to the intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port of the electronic device.

20. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising:

a connector including a broad face defining a bore, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port, a latch configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port, and a detent adjacent to the broad face and coupled to the latch, the detent engageable by a user to release the insertable member from the data port, wherein the bore is more proximal to the insertable member than the detent;

a singular cord including a first end and a second end, the cord defining spring-loop junction therebetween and a first knot proximal to the spring-loop junction, wherein the second end is knotted around the cord, in a second knot, between the first knot and the spring-loop junction to form a loop;

an elastomeric coating arranged over the cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction, the elastomeric coating defining a spring section of a coil geometry and a linear section between the first end and the spring section;

a protective element arranged over the spring-loop junction, the first knot, and the second end of the cord; and

a washer retaining the first end within the connector, the linear section passing through the bore substantially perpendicular to the intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port of the electronic device.