SAFETY CORD FOR COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for a communication apparatus (1). An elongated element (2) is by a first end attached to the communication apparatus (1) and includes an attachment member (3). The attachment member (3) is provided at the second end of the elongated element (2), which end is turned away from the communication apparatus (1). Furthermore, the attachment member (3) is arranged to permit attachment of the communication apparatus (1) to e.g. a clothing of a user. Advantageously, the elongated element is retractable to a collecting member (4) of the communication apparatus (1).

Description: Safety Cord for Communication Apparatus. THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART The present invention refers to a device for a communication apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. There is a problem regarding the fact that mobile cellular telephones often are lost since they are falling out of the pocket of the person carrying the mobile cellular telephone or are being forgotten at different locations. JP-A-08117010 describes a cord intended to be used in connection with a mobile cellular telephone in order to prevent the mobile telephone from falling out the pocket or the like of a user. One end of the cord is attached to the mobile cellular telephone and the other end is provided with an at- tachment device enabling attachment to a clothing or the like. CH-A-637 278 describes an attachment cord, which is retractable to a collecting member by means of a spring force. The document does not mention that the attachment cord is intended to be used in connection with mobile cellular telephones or any other type of communication apparatus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to remedy the problems mentioned above and provide a device by which the risk of loosing a communication apparatus, such as a mobile cellular telephone, may be reduced. This object is obtained by the device initially defined, which is characterised by an elongated element, which by a first end is attached to the communication apparatus and which includes an attachment member, and in that the attach- ment member is provided in the proximity of the second end of the elongated element, which end is turned away from the communication apparatus, and arranged to permit attachment of the communication apparatus to a user of the communication apparatus. For instance, such an attachment may be made to a clothing, a bag or any other object carried by the user. In such a manner it is easier for the owner of the mobile cellular telephone to have control of his apparatus and avoid that it gets lost in any way or another. Furthermore, theft of a mobile cellular telephone is made more difficult if it attached in this manner. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means of an embodiment described as an example and with reference to the drawings attached, in which Fig 1 discloses a mobile cellular telephone having a retracted security cord according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig 2 discloses a mobile cellular telephone having an extended security cord according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig 3 discloses a mobile cellular telephone having an extended security cord according to another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figs 2 and 3 disclose a communication apparatus in the form of a mobile cellular telephone 1. The invention is applicable to different types of communication apparatuses for one or two way communication, except mobile cellular telephones also walky-talkies and similar apparatuses. The mobile cellular telephone 1 includes an elongated element in the form of a cord 2, which by a first end is attached to the mobile cellular telephone 1 and which at its other end includes an attachment member 3 which is arranged to permit attachment of the mobile cellular telephone 1 to a clothing of a user. The cord 2 is in a rest state retractably arranged in a casing 4, forming an collecting member of the mobile cellular telephone 1. Furthermore, the cord 2 is extendable out of the casing 4 against the action of a spring force from a spring (not disclosed), which is provided in the casing 4. The cord 2 may advantageously be wound on a reel (not disclosed) or any similar member arranged in the casing 4. The casing 4 forms a unit together with the mobile cellular telephone 1 and may form a part of the casing of the mobile cellular telephone 1 or form a unit which is releasably arranged to the mobile cellular telephone 1. The mobile cellular telephone 1 includes an antenna member 5 which extends along a part of the cord 2. Preferably, the antenna member 5 is positioned at the outer end of the cord 2, i.e. the second end of the cord 2. The antenna member 5, is via an electric conduit 6 in the form of an antenna cable, connected to the mobile cellular telephone 1. The antenna member 5 and the electric conduit 6 or the antenna ca- ble is in the embodiment disclosed arranged in the cord 2, which may be formed, e.g., by a textile or synthetic fibre material. The cord may also include a shielding member 6' which encloses the electric conduit, i.e. the cord forms or includes a so called coaxial cable or the like. In such a manner it is possible to adapt the length of the antenna member 5 to the frequency by which the mobile cellular telephone operates at the same time as the antenna member 5 may be located at a relatively long distance from the mobile cellular telephone 1 when it is used. Furthermore, the mobile cellular telephone 1 may include a tubular member 7, which extends from the casing 4 and through which a cord 2 runs. The tubular member 7 is manufactured by a plastic material or any similar material, which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation with a frequency at which the mobile cellular telephone operates. Consequently, the tubular member 7 forms the antenna of the mobile cellular telephone 1 when the antenna member 5 is retracted therein. The length of the tubular member 7 is adapted to the operating frequency of the mobile cellular telephone. The casing 4 is manufactured by a material which shields off electromagnetic radiation at a frequency at which the mobile telephone operates. Fig 3 discloses another embodiment in which the cord 2 in form of an antenna cable extends between the mobile cellular telephone 1 and the casing 4 in which the above mentioned reel or a similar collecting member is provided. In this case the casing is not provided on the mobile cellular telephone proper but with a holder member 8 arranged to receive the mobile cellular telephone 1. The holder member 8 may in its turn be attached to a user in a clothing or the like by means of the attachment member 3. The antenna member is in the example disclosed provided in the tubular member 7. The attachment member 3 and the antenna member 5 may in this embodiment be separated from each other but attached to the casing 4 or the holder member 8. The invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed but may be varied and modified in the scoop of the following claims .

Claims: Claims 1. A device for a communication apparatus (1), character- ised by an elongated element (2), which by a first end is attached to the communication apparatus (1) and which includes an attachment member (3) , and in that the attachment member (3) is provided in the proximity of the second end of the elongated element (2), which end is turned away from the communication apparatus (1) , and arranged to permit attachment of the communication apparatus (1) to a user of the communication apparatus (1). 2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the elongated element (2) is retractable to a collecting member (4 ) . 3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the collecting member (4) is provided at one of the first end and the second end of the elongated element (2) . 4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the collecting member is provided on the communication apparatus (1) • 5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the collecting member includes a casing (4) into which the elongated element (2) is retractable. 6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the casing (4) forms a unit together with the casing of the communication apparatus (1) . 7. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the elongated element (2) is retractable by means of a spring force. 8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the communication apparatus (1) includes an antenna member (5) which is connected to the communication apparatus (1) via an elongated element (2). 9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the antenna member extends along at least a part of the elongated element (2). 10. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the antenna member (5) is arranged in the proximity of the second end of the elongated element (2) . 11. A device according to claim 10, characterised in that the antenna member (5) is connected to the communication ap- paratus (1) via an electric conduit (6) extending along the elongated element (2). 12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that the electric conduit (6) is shielded off by means a shield- ing member (6') and extends within the elongated element (2) . 13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a tubular member (7), which extends from the communication apparatus (1) and through which the elongated element (2) is arranged to run. 14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the communication apparatus (1) forms a mobile cellular telephone (1) .

Inventors: WINTZELL DAG B V, WINTZELL, DAG, B., V.
Applicants: WINTZELL DAG B V, WINTZELL, DAG, B., V.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: A45C13, H01Q1, H04M1