Device and method for holding a handheld object

• US 6,502,727 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Decoteau
• Original Assignee: Daniel Decoteau
• Inventors: Decoteau, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/912,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20030019893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 224/162, 224/183, 224/254, 224/269, 224/930, 242/379.2, 242/380, 242/404.3
• US Class Current: 224/162
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/004 with an automatic spring reel
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/48 Automatic re-storing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/15 Protecting or guiding telephone cords
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

A device and associated method for attaching an electronic device to a tether so that it cannot be stolen or inadvertently lost. The device includes a housing. Within the housing is contained a spool and a spring for rewinding the spool. A tether extends from the spool out of the housing. The tether terminates outside of the housing with a connector element. The connector element is selectively attachable to an electronic device. As the tether is wound on the spool, the connector element is drawn toward an attachment area on the housing of the device. The connector element and the attachment area are magnetically attracted. As such, when the connector element approaches the attachment area on the housing, the connector element becomes magnetically affixed to the attachment area, thereby joining the electronic device to the housing in a fixed orientation.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a housing having an external surface with an attachment area thereon, said housing defining an internal chamber;

a spool disposed within said internal chamber;

a connector element, wherein said connector element and said attachment area are magnetically attracted;

an attachment means disposed on a surface of said connector element, wherein said attachment means enables said connector element to be affixed to an external object; and

a tether coupled between said spool and said connector element.

2. The device according to claim 1, further including a spring coupled to said spool for providing a bias to said spool that causes said tether to wind on said spool.

3. The device according to claim 1, further including a belt clip coupled to said housing.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means is selected from a group consisting of tapes, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said tether is between two feet and four feet in length.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a depression thereon and said attachment area is disposed in said depression, wherein said connector element is sized to fit within said depression.

7. An assembly, comprising:

an electronic device;

a connector element mounted to said electronic device;

a housing having an attachment area thereon, wherein said connector element and said attachment area are magnetically attracted; and

a tether interconnecting said housing to said connector element.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said housing defines an internal chamber and a spool is disposed within said internal chamber, wherein said tether is coupled to said spool within said housing.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, further including a spring coupled to said spool for providing a bias to said spool that causes said tether to wind on said spool.

10. The assembly according to claim 7, further including a belt clip coupled to said housing.

11. The assembly according to claim 7, further including an attachment device disposed on said connector element for mounting said connector element to said electronic device.

12. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said tether is between two feet and four feet in length.

13. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said housing has a depression thereon and said attachment area is disposed in said depression, wherein said connector element is sized to fit within said depression.

14. A method of connecting an electronic device to an external object with a tether, comprising the steps of:

providing a housing having an attachment area thereon;

providing a connector element that is magnetically attracted to said attachment area, wherein said connector element is tethered to said housing with a flexible tether;

mounting said connector element to the electronic device;

connecting said housing to the external object; and

magnetically connecting said connector element to said attachment area.

15. The method according to claim 14, further including the step of applying a retracting tension to said tether.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of mounting said connector element to said electronic device includes adhesively attaching said connector element to said electronic device.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of mounting said connector element to said electronic device includes mechanically attaching said connector element to said electronic device.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein a belt clip is attached to said housing and said step of connecting said housing to said external object includes connecting said belt clip to said external object.