TETHERING SYSTEM WITH RETRACTOR AND EYELET OPENING

Abstract

Retractor systems are disclosed that reduce the wear on the retractor line from repeated extensions and retractions. Some embodiments comprise a retractor system having a retractor with a retractor housing having a front surface. A line and a line retraction mechanism can be included within the housing, with the line retraction mechanism urging retraction of the line in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the front surface. A line opening is included in the front surface through which the line extends from the housing at a second direction that is different from the first direction. A personal article attached to the line, and an anti-friction mechanism is included at said line opening to provide a smooth surface upon which the line rides when extending from the housing. Some anti-friction mechanisms comprise an eyelet proximate to said line opening and having a smooth surface that can take many different shapes and sizes, such as a funnel or hour glass shaped surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a device tethering system, and more particularly to a personal article tethering system having a retractor and an eyelet opening for reliable operation of the tether.

Description of the Related Art

Tethering devices have been developed that have extendable and retractable cables or lines (“cables”), with many of the cables being automatically retracted under the bias of an internal spring arrangement. Some of the applications for these tethers include keys, ski ropes, surf board leashes, microphones, boat moorings and scuba equipment. [See U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,610 to Taylor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,460 to Khudaverdian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,805 to Bredesen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,572 to Salentine].

Personal communication devices such as cell phones can be attached or mounted to a person using different devices. Some of these mounting devices include leather cases with belt clips for attaching to a belt, or a plastic holster which attaches to a belt or purse. One of the more popular cell, phone mounts includes a pivoting ball type mount, which is attached to the phone and clips into a belt clip that has a slot to mate with the ball.

One of the advantages of these holstering devices is that they allow for easy access and retrieval of a cell phone, pager or PDA (“personal device”). However, this advantage also results in one of their primary disadvantages. The ease of access typically prevents these mounting devices from properly securing the personal devices, which can result in their failing out under many circumstances, such as when getting in and out of a vehicle or when they are bumped. Furthermore, when the personal device is removed from these holstering devices there is no mechanism for preventing the phone from falling to the ground if jarred or dropped from the user's hand.

Many smartphones and other electronic devices include large glass-covered portions, slippery surfaces, and other characteristics that may increase the chance of dropping. Additionally, many smartphones and other electronic devices are expensive to purchase, repair, or replace. In some instances, smartphones cannot be repaired and must be entirely replaced if dropped.

A wrist lanyard has been developed which helps prevent cell phones from falling to the ground when being used. The lanyard typically comprises a rope or string that is tied or otherwise attached to the cell phone and has a loop that is large enough for a user's hand to pass through. To secure the cell phone, the user must pass a hand through the loop when the cell phone is in the user's hand. When the cell phone is not in use, the lanyard can be tied to a belt loop. One disadvantage of this device is that when the phone is tied to a belt loop, untying the lanyard from the loop to use the phone can be awkward and inconvenient. It can also be awkward passing a hand through the loop every time the cell phone is used.

An alternate tethering device uses a spiral or coiled type lanyard, similar to the cord that is used between the receiver and telephone in older styled telephones. For cell phones, the coiled lanyard can be attached to the user at one end and attached to the phone at the other. When the phone is in use, the length of the tether can be extended and when the phone is not in use its effective length is reduced. One disadvantage of this type of tether is that to make it long so it can be conveniently used with a cell, phone, the tether becomes quit-e long and obtrusive when the cell phone is in the holstered posit ion. The tether dangles when the phone is not in use, which can cause entanglement.

Existing retractable tethers are used for personal articles such as keys but do not provide a means for attaching to phones or pagers. Furthermore, they are bulky and do not efficiently and securely attach to the user in a way that would allow for the cell phone to be easily used. They also do not provide a means for working in conjunction with a cell phone's holster or mounting system.

More recent arrangements have provided for tethering of the phone or other personal articles to a retractor, that is then mounted to the user's body. Some of these arrangements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,665,634 and 8,794,560, both to Salentine et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a retractor system that provides for mounting of a personal article to the line of the retractor system, and for removably mounting of the personal article to the retractor body. In some embodiments the retractor body can be mounted to a user, and when the personal article is removed from the retractor housing for use the line extends from the retractor body against a retraction force on the line. When the user is done using the personal article and the user releases the removal force, the line retracts into the retractor housing and the personal article can be remounted to the retractor housing.

Different embodiments of the present invention include devices or features that reduce or minimize the wear on the line from repeated extensions and retraction. Some embodiments comprise an eyelet with a smooth surface that the line can ride on during extension and retraction. This smooth surface can take many different shapes and sizes, with some embodiments comprising a funnel or hour glass shaped surface.

One embodiment of a retractor system according to the present invention comprising a retractor with a housing having a front surface. A line and a line retraction mechanism are included within the housing, with the line retraction mechanism urging retraction of the line in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the front surface. A line opening is included in the front surface through which the line extends from the housing at a second direction that is different from the first direction. A personal article attached to the line, and an anti-friction mechanism is included at said line opening to provide a smooth surface upon which the line rides when extending from the housing.

The systems according to the present invention can comprise many different features as described below. These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example of the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view on one embodiment of a retractor system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retractor housing and internal components according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to different retractor and personal article connection systems that allow for ease of access to the personal article and also allow reliable operation of the retractor. In the embodiments described herein, the retractor can include housing with a line that is urged by an internal spring to be retracted into the retractor housing. The end of the line can be connected to a personal article through a connector system. Many different connector systems can be used according to the present inventions and in some embodiments, the connector system comprises a second part mounted or connected to the personal article and a first part mounted to or connected to the retractor housing. The line can be connected to the second part so that the personal article is attached to the line, and the first and second parts can cooperate to removably hold the phone to the retractor.

The retractor can be mounted to a user using different mechanisms such as a lanyard, clip or loop and can be mounted at many different locations on the user. In some embodiments, the retractor housing can have belt slots that allows for a belt to pass through such that when the belt is worn by a user the retractor is securely mounted to the user. In other embodiments, the retractor housing can have a clip to mount to the waistline of the user's pants or to the pocket of the user's pants.

When the personal article is mounted to the retractor housing, the first and second parts of the connector system can be coupled together. In some embodiments, the first and second parts mate with one another to hold the personal article to the housing. When the user wants to operate the personal article, the user can pull the personal article away from the retractor against the retraction force of the internal spring, thereby separating the first and second parts and extending the line from the retractor housing to the desired length. When the user is done using the personal article, the user can remove or lessen the pulling force, which in turn allows the retractor's internal spring to retract the line. This results in the personal article being pulled toward the retractor, and when the personal article is adjacent to the housing, the first and second parts can again be coupled to hold the personal article to the retractor housing. In some embodiments, this can include slight pushing force to allow the first and second parts to again mate to hold the phone to the retractor.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the retractor can have an internal spool that holds the line, and an internal spring that urges retraction of the line by providing a turning force on the spool to wind the line on the spool. In some embodiments according to the present invention, the line does not extend from the edge surfaces of the retractor as in conventional retractors, but can instead extend from the housing at an angle that is generally orthogonal to the spool and the direction that the line extends from or retracts on the spool. This allows for convenient use of the personal device and mounting of the device to the retractor, but the orthogonal direction can result in wear on the line through repeated use. This can ultimately can cause the line to fail by breaking.

To reduce this wear, the present invention can comprise many different mechanisms to reduce the friction caused by the orthogonal extension of the line. In some embodiments this friction reducing mechanism can comprise a funnel shaped eyelet that provides a smooth surface for the line to ride on during the extension and retraction of the line. This surface reduces the wear that the line might experience, thereby extending the useful life of the line and the retractor system.

The present invention is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It is further understood that different embodiments can comprise different materials arranged in different ways, and can comprise different features. Different embodiments can also be arranged for mounting to other locations other than directly to a user.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “connected to” another element, it can be directly on, or in contact with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”, or “directly connected to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, and/or sections, these elements and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, or section from another element, or section. Thus, a first element or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to perspective view illustrations that are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of the invention. As such, the actual thickness or size of components can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. A region or element illustrated or described as being generally square or rectangular can have rounded or curved features due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the features illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a feature of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a retractor and system 10 according to the present invention for mounting of a personal article to a user. In the embodiment shown, the personal article may be described as a cell phone, but it is understood that the present invention can be used with many other personal articles, including but not limited to a scanner, security entry device, firearm, etc. The system 10 comprises a two-part retractor housing 12 comprising a lower portion 12a and upper portion 12b that when mounted together to securely hold the retractor's internal components. Upper portion 12b forms the front surface of the housing 12 and the lower portion 12a forms the back surface of the housing 10, with an edge surface 12c provided around the perimeter of the housing 12 between the front and back surfaces. The system 12 further comprised a connector 14 for connecting a personal article to the retractor housing 12 with the connector 14 comprising first and second connector parts 14a, 14b.

It is understood that many different connectors can be used in different embodiments of the present invention such as snaps, brackets, adhesives and Velcro®. In the embodiments shown, a two-part connector is utilized, with the first connector part 14a can be mounted to or is integral to the retractor 12, and the second connector part 14b is mounted to or is integral to a personal article 16. The first and second connector parts 14a, 14b can be coupled together to hold the personal article to the housing 12. In the embodiment shown, the first connector part 14a can have tabs 16 that mate with slots in the second part 14b to hold the first and second parts 14a, 14b together. In some embodiments, the tabs can have rounded ledges 16a to mate with ledges on the inside of the slots. The holding force can be enough to securely and safely hold the personal article to the housing 12, but also allows for the first and second parts 14a, 14b to be separated with a relatively low pulling force on the personal article. This allows for the user to easily and conveniently access the personal article by separating the first and second parts 14a, 14b.

The retractor includes a line 18 that is wound on a spool 20 that is mounted internally to the housing 12 in a manner that allows for the spool 20 to rotate about a post 22 against the force of a retraction spring. Many different retraction springs can be used, with some embodiments using a conventional coil spring. The line 18 can extend from the spool and the retractor housing 12, and can be connected to personal article 16 such that when the user pulls the personal article 16 away from the retractor 12, the line extends away from the retractor housing 20 against the retraction force of the internal retractor spring. In the embodiment shown, the line 18 can be connected to the second connector part 14b which can be attached to the personal article. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the line 18 can be connected in other ways and to different locations on the personal article 16.

The retractor housing 12 can be mounted to a user by different mechanisms such as clips, clamps, hooks, pouches, straps, ties, Velcro®, etc. In the embodiment shown, the retractor 12 comprises first and second belt slots 24a, 24b on opposing sides of the housing 12. A user can pass a belt through the slots 24a, 24b such that when the belt is worn by the user the housing 12 is securely mounted to the belt and the user. The first and second connector parts 14a, 14b can be mounted in place using many different methods and materials, such as adhesives, screws, clamps, etc. In still other embodiments, the first and second parts can be molded as part of the retractor housing or personal article.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the line 18 extends from the spool in direction A that is generally parallel to front and back surfaces of the housing 12, and when the personal article is in pulled from the housing 12 the line extends from the housing in a direction B that that is different from direction A, and can be generally orthogonal to direction A. It is understood that the direction B can be many different directions and angles other than orthogonal. For example, when the housing is mounted to a user's belt and a cell phone is connected to the line 18, use of the phone would cause the line to extend up toward the user's ear and at an angle that is less than orthogonal. If the line 18 were attached to a firearm that angle of extension for the line 18 during use could be closer to orthogonal. These are only a couple examples of the different extension angles for the line. In some embodiments, the line can extend from the housing in direction B that can be at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees to direction A. In other embodiments, the extension direction B can be between 30 and 90 degrees to direction A. In other embodiments, the extension direction B can be between 45 and 90 degrees to direction A.

With the line extending at different angles, the line can experience wear during extension and retraction, such as by rubbing against the surface of the line opening 26 in the housing 12. To reduce this wear, the housing 12 can comprise many different mechanisms and materials, with some embodiments comprising an eyelet 28 mounted at or near the line opening 26. The eyelet 28 provides a surface that reduces wear on the line 18 through extension and retraction, and the eyelet 26 can have many different shapes and sizes and can be arranged with many different surfaces to reduce wear. In the embodiment shown, the eyelet 28 comprises a smooth central funnel type surface 30 with a line opening that widens toward the line opening 26. The line 18 can extend and retract at different angles while riding on the funnel type surface 30. This provides a smooth surface for the line 18 that reduces damage and wear that the line might otherwise experience through repeated extensions and retractions.

The eyelet 28 can be mounted in the housing 18 in many different ways or can be formed integral to the housing 19. In the embodiment shown, the eyelet 28 is mounted to tabs 32 such as by an adhesive. The eyelet 28 and other components of the system 10 can be made of many different materials and can be fabricated using many different methods. In the embodiment shown, the components can be made of plastic formed by injection molding.

It is understood that many different mechanisms and arrangements can be used in the different systems according to the present invention. The anti-friction surfaces of the present inventions can be in many different locations and shapes and can comprise many different materials. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.

Claims

1. A retractor system, comprising, a retractor with a retractor housing having a front surface;a line and a line retraction mechanism within said housing, said line retraction mechanism urging retraction of the said line in a first direction that is substantially parallel to said front surface;a line opening in said front surface through which said line extends from said housing at a second direction that is different from said first direction;a personal article attached to said line; andan anti-friction mechanism at said line opening to provide a smooth surface upon which said line rides when extending from said housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said anti-friction mechanism comprises an eyelet with an opening through which said line passes.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said eyelet is mounted adjacent said line opening.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said smooth surface is funnel or hourglass shaped.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a connector mechanism to removable connect said personal article to said retractor housing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said connector comprises a two part connector with a first connector part on said personal article and a second on said retractor housing, said first and second connector parts cooperating to hold said personal article to said retractor housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said first and second connector parts snap together.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said first connector part has tabs that cooperate with slots in said second connector part.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said line retraction mechanism comprises a spool and coil spring.

10. A retractor system, comprising, a retractor housing having a front surface and a mounting mechanism for mounting said retractor to a user;a line that is retracted into said housing under a retraction force in a first direction;a personal article mounted in proximity to said front surface;an line opening in said front surface through which said line extends from said housing at a second direction that is different from said first direction; andan anti-friction mechanism at said line opening.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said anti-friction mechanism comprises an eyelet with an opening through which said line passes.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said eyelet is mounted adjacent said line opening.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said anti-friction mechanism comprising a smooth surface upon which said line rides during extension and retraction.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a connector mechanism to removable mount said personal article in proximity to said retractor mousing.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said connector mechanism comprises a two part connector with a first connector part on said personal article and a second on said retractor housing, said first and second connector parts cooperating to hold said personal article to said retractor housing.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said first connector part has tabs that cooperate with slots in said second connector part.

17. A retractor system, comprising, a retractor housing having a front surface, and a mounting mechanism for mounting said retractor to a user;a line that is retracted into said housing under a force in a first direction that is substantially parallel to said front surface;a line opening in said front surface through which said line extends through said front surface at a second direction that is different from said first direction;an anti-friction mechanism proximate said line opening; anda personal article connected to said line and removably mountable to said retractor housing.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said anti-friction mechanism comprises an eyelet mounted adjacent said line opening.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said smooth surface is funnel or hourglass shaped.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said personal article is removably mounted to said retractor housing by a two part connector with a first connector part on said personal article and a second on said retractor housing, said first and second connector parts cooperating to hold said personal article to said retractor housing.