Lockable attachment device for a mobile phone or other hand held device

Abstract

An attachment device secures attaching a handheld device, such as a mobile phone or tablet. The device has a first connecting element connecting it to the handheld device and a second connecting element for securing it, e.g. to a beltloop, handbag or user's wrist. A tether cord is stored in a housing, may be withdrawn from the housing, and has a free end connected to one of the first and second connecting elements with the other connected to the housing. A retraction device, such as a spring, in the housing retracts the tether cord into the housing, A locking element may be provided for locking the tether relative to the housing. The spring can be strong enough to take the full weight of the device with the phone, while preventing the tether cord from being pulled from the housing, to prevent the handheld device from being dropped, lost or misplaced.

Description

FIELD[0001]This invention relates generally to a lockable attachment device for a mobile phone, mobile device or other hand held device.BACKGROUND[0002]The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.[0003]In recent years, mobile phones have become increasingly complex. Early mobile phones simply provided basic telephone capabilities. Mobile phones sometimes identified as “feature phones” provided additional features, but no true computing capability. More recently, there was a trend for consumers to use smart phones, which are built on a mobile operating system. Necessarily, such smart phones are more complex and expensive, and hence of much greater value to the user. As smartphones and mobile devices have become more integrated into everyday lives, they have also become more fragile. Further, based on their common applications, many people find themselves carrying their smartphones e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The device of the present invention may house or secure a phone near a user, through the use of a spring mechanism. Users can extend or retract the length of the tether cord and lock it at multiple positions. Also, the clip at the end of the tether cord, can be attached or detached from a wristband which allows for same features to be transferred to other items such as backpacks, belts or clothing. This allows users to be tethered to their mobile device at all times. When not attached to wristband or accessory, a carabiner S-clip may fit comfortable back into the case.

[0017]In a further aspect of the present invention, the spring is strong enough to support the weight of the attachment device and the hand held device and to prevent that weight from causing the tether cord to unwind from the reel.

[0020]Advantageously, the housing includes a reel and a spring for the tether cord with the tether cord being wound on the reel, and with the spring rotationally biasing the reel to withdraw the tether cord into the housing, and the spring can be strong enough to support the weight of the attachment device and the hand held device and to prevent that weight form causing the tether cord to unwind from the reel.

Problems solved by technology

In recent years, mobile phones have become increasingly complex.

Mobile phones sometimes identified as “feature phones” provided additional features, but no true computing capability.

Necessarily, such smart phones are more complex and expensive, and hence of much greater value to the user.

As smartphones and mobile devices have become more integrated into everyday lives, they have also become more fragile.

This in turn leads to the problem that there is an increased likelihood that a user may misplace, drop or lose his or her smart phone.

Since current fully-featured smart phones are quite expensive, users understandably do not want to misplace, drop or lose their phones.

Additionally, the relative value of smart phones makes them tempting targets for theft.

However, earlier proposals do not provide a device that both secures the smart phone, other telephone, tablet or other hand held device and enables the device to be readily used in an unconstrained way.

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