Abstract:
A clip configuration including a contoured case forming a support opening for a movable clasp element defining a universal clip. A winding mechanism within the casing includes a spring urged spool having a retractable cord which extends with an attachment ring positioned on its free end.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This device relates to extensible retractable hanging devices that are used to attach to a variety of small items to avoid their being lost or misplaced. Such devices have an extending clip configuration for attachment purposes. Prior art devices may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,954,288, 5,938,137, 6,364,237 and D482,521.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to an improvement in a retractable tether clip combination in which the improvement is directed to the utilization of a resilient clip configuration having an integral retractable tether within. The body of the resilient clip is of a carabiner type which is in vertical spaced relation to an integrally enclosed retractable tether deployable therefrom. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the of the invention with portions shown in broken lines within;  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  is an end elevational view thereof;  
         [0005]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof;  
         [0006]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an alternate dual clip configuration having a pair of retractable tether deployed therefrom;  
         [0007]      FIG. 5  is an end elevational view thereof;  
         [0008]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a second alternate form of the clip configuration of the invention having a manual urged engageable hook clip and a retractable tether line extending therefrom;  
         [0009]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third alternate form of the invention having an elongated handle clip portion with a retractable lead extending therefrom; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view thereof with portions broken away. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0011]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  of the drawings, a tether clip  10  of the invention can be seen having a contoured main body member  11  defining a retraction case  12 . An upstanding curved arm portion  13  forms a movable clip  14  having a spring urged retainment bar element  15  pivoted at  16  through the main body member  11  for engagement therewith as will be well known and understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0012]     A retractable tether assembly  17 , shown in dotted lines, is mounted within the retainment case  12  which has a depending portion  18  forming a deployment portal at  19  therein. The retractable tether assembly  17  has a central spring winding fitting  20  around which is coiled a deployable tether line  21 . A line stop  22  is secured adjacent the free end of the line  21  and attachment loop  23  extending therefrom. Typically, an access engagement ring  24  is fitting through the loop  23  providing a universal attachment means thereto.  
         [0013]     It will be evident from the above description that the tether clip  10  of the invention can be selectively positioned to a variety of attachment points such as clothing, backpacks, via its clip  14  by pivotal placement of the retainment bar portion  15  as illustrated in broken lines in  FIG. 1  of the drawings.  
         [0014]     The retractable tether line  21  can be correspondingly secured to items by the engagement ring  24  that one wishes to maintain in close proximity to the clip attachment point such as a cell phone, key chain, flashlight, etc., (not shown). The retractable tether line assembly  17  will allow for deployment of the tether line  21  therefrom to a selective distance and then be retracted, as required.  
         [0015]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings, an alternate form of the invention can be seen as a dual tether zip clip  25  having a body member  26  with a movable clip  27  extending therefrom. The main body member  26  defining a contoured retraction case  27  with corresponding spring winding assemblies  28  and  29  there within each having a coiled deployable respective tether lines  30  and  31  extending therefrom. Associated line stops and engagement ring fittings  32  and  33  provide for attachment points as previously described in the primary form of the invention.  
         [0016]     A manual tether clip configuration  35  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  of the drawings in which a contoured clip case  36  has a flexible arm portion  37  with a hook end portion  38  thereon. A linkage element  39  pivotally extends from a second arm portion  40  for aligned registration with the hook  38  upon manual deflection of the arm portion  37 , seen in broken lines at  37 A allowing for engagement or disengagement of the linkage element  39  therefrom as is well known and understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0017]     A single retractable tether line assembly  41  is positioned within the contoured clip case  36  with a single tether line  42  deployable therefrom through a line portal  43 .  
         [0018]     It will be evident from the above description that an additional retractable tether line assembly can be positioned within the contoured clip case  36  by making a modification thereto as was the case as set forth in the dual tether clip  25  and associated contoured case  26  as hereinbefore described.  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  of the drawings, a third alternate form of the invention can be seen wherein a retractable dog lead clip  43  is illustrated having a main body member  44  with a spring operable retractable tether lead assembly  45  rotatably positioned within. A secondary leash lead  46  is secured to the end of the tether line  47  of the retractable tether lead assembly  45  with a collar clip  48  secured thereto. The main body member  44  has a handle portion  49  defining a contoured arm  50  from which is pivotally secured a spring urged handle bar element  51  to complete the handle configuration. It will be evident that this so configured handle portion  49  will act as a temporary attachment point for the dog lead clip  43  with the same functionality parameters as the hereinbefore described tether clip  10  and alternate tether clips  25  and  35  as hereinbefore described.  
         [0020]     The retractable tether lead assembly  45  is selectively controlled by a lead line lock assembly  52  having an operable engagement, disengagement button  53  and interconnected lead line break engagement surface elements  54  which will control the deployment of the tether lead line  47  which is spring urged to retract as is well known within the art.  
         [0021]     It will thus be seen that a new and novel zip clip configuration has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.