Abstract:
A system for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle or vehicle. In particular, an ergonomic system for carrying and securing portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and the like on a person in a manner that reduces stress on the human body and that prevents the device from being lost or dropped. The system allows a person to carry one or more portable devices that are secured against loss or damage, while the carrier&#39;s hands are free for other activities. The portable devices are maintained in proximity to the person&#39;s body, allowing unencumbered access to the device when desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to systems for carrying a portable device, e.g., a portable electronic device, on a person, bicycle or vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to systems for carrying a portable device in a manner that prevents the device from being lost or dropped. 
         [0002]    Portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and the like have become increasingly popular. The size and weight of such devices have generally been reduced as a result of technological advance, to a point where users frequently carry one or more such devices in their pockets, in purses or bags, or clipped to their belts or other clothing. In the process of using and stowing these devices, it is not uncommon that the device slips from a user&#39;s hand and drops, often suffering damage that is expensive to repair and rendering the device inoperable or even irretrievable. In the case of cellular phones stored in a purse or bag, it may be difficult to hear the phone ringing or the OFF or ringer button on the phone could be accidentally pressed by other contents of the purse or bag. 
         [0003]    Some handheld devices are provided with a wrist strap or lanyard that is permanently attached to the device, which a user may grip or wrap around their wrist to reduce the likelihood that the device will be dropped. It is also known to attach a cellular phone to a neck strap or lanyard. 
         [0004]    In addition, devices are known for tethering gear and personal articles and, more particularly, for tethering personal communication devices such as cellular phones, pagers and PDAs to a person. U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2003/0042348 A1 discloses a retracting tether connected to a lanyard by means of a disconnection mechanism, the other end of the lanyard being connected to a personal communication device. A holster is provided for storing the personal communication device when not in use. The retracting tether and the holster are shown clipped to a belt. U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2005/0072819 A1 also discloses a tethering device and a holster, both mounted to a belt, for respectively securing and storing a cell phone. 
         [0005]    If a portable electronic device is dropped on a hard surface or in water, it can be damaged and rendered inoperable. Also a portable device can be easily lost or stolen if the person carrying the device momentarily forgets to secure or guard it. There is a need for improved systems for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle, vehicle or anything near or in close proximity to the body. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a system for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle, vehicle or anything near or in close proximity to the body. In particular, the invention is directed to an ergonomic system for carrying and securing portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras on a person in a manner that reduces stress on the human body. 
         [0007]    The system comprises a tethering device having a retractable line of flexible material wound on a reel and a universal adapter connected to an end of the retractable line of the tethering device. The portable device to be carried and secured is coupled to the universal adapter by another line or a loop of flexible material. The tethering device can be attached to various wearable means for enabling a person to carry and secure the portable device in proximity to his/her body. The wearable means in accordance with various embodiments comprise a neck cord or strap, a waistband or belt, a wrist, arm or leg band, or a clip, cord or loop that attaches to a buttonhole or a belt loop. Alternatively, the tethering device can be attached to a cord, strap, belt, band, clip or loop that is hung from a bag or purse, from a backpack, or from a component of a bicycle or a vehicle such as a car or truck. In the case of a cord, the tethering device may be attached to a cord locking device that can be unlocked to allow the position of the tethering device on the cord to be adjusted. 
         [0008]    Each system disclosed hereinbelow may be sold as part of a respective kit that includes one male adapter part and multiple female adapter parts. The multiple female adapter parts may be attached to respective portable devices so that those devices can be interchangeably carried using the same system. Furthermore, different support systems could be included in the same kit, each support system having its own male adapter part. Again a multiplicity of female adapter parts could be included in such a kit to facilitate use of different portable devices with the various support systems. 
         [0009]    One aspect of the invention is a system comprising: first and second mutually interlocked adapter parts; a housing having a recess; a rotatable reel housed within the housing; and a retractable line of flexible material having one end attached to the reel and another end attached to the first adapter part, wherein the first adapter part and the housing recess are mutually interlockable, the line of flexible material being alternately extendible and retractable while the first adapter part is not interlocked with the housing recess. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is a system comprising a loop and a tethering device suspended from the loop, the tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material. Optionally, the loop may take the form of a flexible neck cord that passes through a cord lock to which the tethering device may be mounted. The cord lock is releasably slidable along the cord for adjusting the position of a tethered portable device. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the invention is a system comprising a buckle and a tethering device mounted to the buckle, the tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the buckle is attached to a belt worn around the waist of a person Other aspects of the invention are disclosed and claimed below. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are drawings showing front views of a cell phone depending from a cord by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 1  the line is shown partially extracted; in  FIG. 2 , the line is shown fully retracted. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a drawing showing a front view of a cell phone depending from a cord by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a drawing showing a sectional view of a cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a drawing showing a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a drawing showing a method for attaching a cell phone having an opening to a female adapter part using a loop of thin flexible material threaded through the opening in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a drawing showing a method for attaching a cell phone having no opening to a female adapter part using a loop of thin flexible material and a small panel adhered to the cell phone in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part, one end of which is attached to a line of flexible material wound on a reel of a tethering device. The dashed circle represents the reel housing of the tethering device, while the tongue-shaped dashed line represents the female adapter part, which is in turn connected to a loop of flexible material having a portion that is designed to facilitate easy threading through an opening. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part having one end plugged into a socket or receptacle of a housing of a tethering device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The housing of the tethering device is shown in cross section. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part having a double-pronged end plugged into a socket or receptacle of a housing of a tethering device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The housing of the tethering device is shown in cross section. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a drawing showing a system comprising a tethering device with universal adapter mounted to a cord locking device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a drawing showing a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a belt buckle by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a belt loop by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a wrist band by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 19 through 21  are drawings showing respective cord fastening devices that are designed to release quickly when the fastener components are pulled apart. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a drawing showing a further embodiment whereby two tethering systems are supported by the same neck cord, thereby allowing two portable devices to be carried by the person wearing the neck cord. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Reference will now be made to the drawings in which similar parts in different drawings bear the same reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Various embodiments of the invention will now be disclosed with reference to the drawings. The components are not drawn to scale. Each of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter has a tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material, the end of which is attached to a universal adapter. More specifically, the tethering device comprises a flexible line having one end anchored to a reel that is rotatably mounted inside a housing. When the reel is caused to rotate in a certain direction, the extended portion of the flexible line will be wound on the reel and thereby retracted. A spring or other means can be used to cause the reel to rotate when retraction is desired. The other end of the flexible line is connected to one of the two interlockable parts of the universal adapter. The universal adapter comprises a pair of mutually interlockable adapter parts, e.g., a male adapter part having a portion that plugs into and interlocks with a female adapter part. 
         [0033]    A portable device is attached to one part of the universal adapter by means of a second line of flexible material. In this manner, a portable device can be hung from the tethering device. The portable device is readily disconnectable from the tethering device by manual operation of a release mechanism of the universal adapter that allows the two interlocked adapter parts to be disengaged from each other. 
         [0034]    The tethering device, in turn, can be attached to any one of a variety of means that can be worn by a person or attached to or hung from a bag, purse, backpack, bicycle, car or other vehicle. Exemplary means include, but are not limited to, a neck cord or strap, a belt buckle, a wrist, arm or leg band, and a loop or clip for attachment to a belt loop, a buttonhole, a purse strap, a rearview mirror in an automobile, a handlebar of a bicycle, and so forth. 
         [0035]    To facilitate carrying of the portable device when it is not being handled, the universal adapter and the tethering device are preferably designed so that they are mutually interlockable, e.g., by plugging one part of the universal adapter into a socket or receptacle formed in the housing of the tethering device. Alternatively, in cases where the tethering device is attached to or combined with a cord locking device, the universal adapter may be secured by plugging one of its adapter parts into a socket or receptacle formed in a housing that houses the cord locking mechanism or a housing that houses both the retractable line of the tethering device and the cord locking mechanism. 
         [0036]    In the case wherein the universal adapter can be plugged into a socket formed in the housing of the tethering device, the universal adapter may be secured to the tethering device after the retractable line of the tethering CON-P- 1  device has been fully retracted. When the universal adapter is coupled to the tethering device, the range of motion of the portable device is limited by the length of the second line of flexible material connecting the portable device to the universal adapter. 
         [0037]    Whenever the person carrying the portable device wishes to handle it and move it to a position beyond the aforementioned range, then the securement feature is manually released, thereby uncoupling the universal adapter from the tethering device and allowing the universal adapter and the portable device to be moved further away from the tethering device as the retractable line of the tethering device is extended or unwound from the reel. For example, a person carrying a cell phone may, in response to the phone ringing, uncouple or disengage the universal adapter from the tethering device, grab the cell phone and move it to a position in proximity to an ear. During movement of the cell phone toward that position near an ear, the retractable line of the tethering device extends as necessary. When the person finishes his/her conversation, the telephone can be moved back toward its starting position. During the latter movement, as the cell phone approaches the tethering device, the retractable line is retracted by the spring mechanism (or other means) within the tethering device. 
         [0038]    Optionally, the tethering device may be provided with a means for locking the retractable line in an extended position, for example, so that the spring mechanism does not pull on the cell phone while the person is conversing. The means for locking the retractable line in an extended position may be of a type requiring manual operation or a type requiring no action by the cell phone user. 
         [0039]    When the tethering device is worn by a person, the portable device can be carried in proximity to and effectively secured to that person, thereby eliminating the possibility that the portable device will be lost or dropped by that person. As explained below, the portable device can be effectively tethered to various parts of the human anatomy, such as the neck, waist, arm, leg or wrist. In each of the various embodiments disclosed hereinafter, the retractable line of the tethering device has a length long enough to allow the portable device to be utilized by the person, but not so long that the portable device could reach the ground when the person is standing. Accordingly, the portable device cannot be dropped and thereby damaged during usage. 
         [0040]    The housing and reel of the tethering devise and the universal adapter parts are preferably made of plastic material in cases where low cost of manufacture is desired. However, the same parts may instead be made of metals or metal alloys. Other materials can be used. The present invention is not limited to the use of any particular material in the manufacture of the foregoing components. The flexible line connecting the portable device to the universal adapter is preferably made of plastic material. For example, nylon filament of a type used as fishing line or used to hang picture frames may be utilized. The flexible line connecting the universal adapter to the reel of the tethering device preferably comprises a wire made of metal or metal alloy coated with a plastic material. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of the invention wherein a cell phone  2  can be hung from a cord  4  by means of a tethering device  6  having a retractable line  8  made of flexible material, a universal adapter  10  attached to the retractable line  8 , and a second line  26  made of flexible material. In  FIG. 1 , the retractable line  8  is shown partially extracted; in  FIG. 2 , the line  8  is shown fully retracted. The second line  26  may be in the form of a loop, as will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0042]    The universal adapter  10  seen in  FIG. 1  comprises mutually interlockable adapter parts  12  and  14 . The universal adapter has a manually operable mechanism for uncoupling the adapter parts  12  and  14  from each other, thereby untethering the cell phone  2 . For example, the universal adapter  10  may comprise a male adapter part  12  consisting of a cantilevered body (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but see item  16  in  FIG. 11 ) that can be flexed downward in order to facilitate entry of the body into a recess (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) formed in a female adapter part  14 , which flexed body snaps into an opening (not shown) that communicates with the recess in the latter when the male adapter part  12  is fully inserted. The engagement of the body of male adapter part  12  in the opening of female adapter part  14  effectively latches the adapter parts together until such time as the body is depressed, thereby disengaging it from the opening in the female adapter part  14 , and the adapter parts  12  and  14  are pulled apart. Other types of adapters may be employed. Preferably the universal adapter is made of plastic material, although other materials can be used. 
         [0043]    The tethering device  6  comprises a housing  18  having a chamber that constrains a rotatable reel (not shown) on which the line  8  of flexible material can be wound. One end of line  8  is attached to the reel and the other end is attached to the male adapter part  12 . The unwound portion of line  8  passes through a small opening (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but see item  30  in  FIG. 12 ) in the housing  18 . The reel may be connected to a spiral spring (not shown) that becomes wound as the reel rotates during payout of the line  8 , i.e., when the line  8  is pulled out of the housing, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, other means for causing the spring to wind could be used. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the tethering device further comprises a mechanism (not shown) that locks the reel in place automatically when paying out of line  8  is halted. The locking mechanism is released by depressing a pushbutton  22  that is partly disposed outside the housing  18 . When button  22  is depressed, the reel is released and urged by the spring to rotate in a direction that winds up and thereby retracts line  8 . Naturally the spring must be designed to produce a winding force sufficient to overcome the gravitational force exerted on the cell phone or other portable device depending from the tethering device during retraction of line  8 . 
         [0044]    A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a locking mechanism could be used that is locked and unlocked by manual operation. Alternatively, the locking mechanism could be of a type that automatically locks the reel in place when payout of line  8  is halted and also automatically unlocks the reel when the end of extended line  8  is pulled forward slightly and then released. 
         [0045]    In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  18  of the tethering device  6  has an eyelet  20 . The tethering device is hung on the cord  4  by means of a clip or ring  32 . The cord  4  comprises flexible material having a length sufficient for the cord to be worn around the neck of a person. For other applications, such as hanging a portable device from a buttonhole or belt loop, the cord may be much shorter. Respective connectors  34  and  36  are attached to the ends of the cord. The cord may be made of elastomeric or thermoplastic material, synthetic or natural filaments, or other durable and flexible material. In the alternative, the cord could be replaced by a strap or a hollow tube. To provide comfort and avoid chafing, scratching or other irritation, a cord or hollow tube having a round cross section should be employed. 
         [0046]    In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the connectors  34  and  36  are made of molded plastic material and are designed to be pulled apart by an amount of force that exceeds a safety threshold. In other words, the connectors  34  and  36  will release the cord  4  from a person&#39;s neck when the cord is pulled with an amount of force that could be dangerous to the person wearing the cord. 
         [0047]    The foregoing quick-release safety feature may be implemented in the manner shown in  FIG. 19 , which shows the connectors  34  and  36  in an uncoupled state. In accordance with this embodiment, the connectors  34  and  36  are made of molded plastic material. The connector  34  has a rod-shaped male part  38  with an annular bump  40 , while the connector  36  has a recess  42  with an annular bump  44 . When the connectors  34  and  36  are pushed together with sufficient force, the annular bumps  40  and  44  mutually deform to allow each other to pass. The material and geometry of the bumps  40  and  44  are selected in accordance with a design that seeks to allow bump  40  to pass through bump  44  when the connectors are pulled in opposite directions. Male and female connectors having other profiles or geometries may be utilized. 
         [0048]    In accordance with an alternative quick-release safety feature shown in  FIG. 20 , the neck cord is made of plastic material and has two ends  132  and  134  that plug into respective ends of a hollow rubber tube  136 . The ends  132  and  134  of the cord are held together by frictional contact with the interior wall  138  of the rubber tube  136 . 
         [0049]    Alternatively, the quick-release safety feature may comprise a fastening tape consisting of a strip of nylon with a surface of minute hooks that fasten to a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile or loops. Such fastening tape is commercially available under the trademark Velcro.  FIG. 21  shows one implementation of a neck strap  52  having a hooked strip  54  attached to one end and a looped strip  56  attached to the other end. The neck strap  52  can be easily removed from a person&#39;s neck by peeling apart the hooked and looped strips  54  and  56 . 
         [0050]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the embodiment depicted therein includes a feature whereby the universal adapter  10  can be plugged into or docked in the housing  18  of the tethering device  6  when the tether line is fully retracted. Alternate implementations of this feature are shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , which will de discussed in detail later. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows a cell phone depending from a cord  4  by means of a tethering device having a retractable line  8  and a universal adapter  10  attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the cord  4  is inverted and two portions of the cord are passed through a cord locking device  46 , which is provided with entry and exit openings for each cord portion. Although  FIG. 3  shows a cord in the form of an open loop, the cord may be a closed loop. The tethering device is not visible in the front view seen in  FIG. 3 , but may have the same structure and functionality as the tethering device previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , including that the housing of the tethering device has a receptacle for docking the universal adaptor  10 .  FIG. 3  shows a position of an undocked universal adapter  10  when the retractable line  8  is partly extended. The universal adapter may have the same structure and functionality as the universal adapter previously described. 
         [0052]    As seen in the side view of  FIG. 4 , the tethering device  6  is attached to the back of the cord locking mechanism  46 . More specifically, the housing  18  of the tethering device  6  is attached to a housing  48  of the cord locking mechanism  46 . Although the diameters of the tethering and cord locking devices may be approximately the same, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , their respective diameters can be different. 
         [0053]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , when the cord locking device is in a locked state, the cord locking device clamps to the cord  4  and the tethering device  6  cannot be slid along the cord  4 . When the cord locking device is operated to release the cord portions passing therethrough, the tethering device  6  can be slid along the cord  4 , allowing the wearer to adjust the position of the cell phone  2  (see  FIG. 3 ) upward or downward. This provides an ergonomic feature whereby the person wearing the system shown in  FIG. 3  can adjust the position of the tethering and cord locking devices upward to reduce stress on his/her neck due to the weight of the cell phone being carried. This feature also always the elevation of the carried portable device to be adjusted as a function of the user&#39;s body height and to account for whether the person carrying the device is an adult or child. When the person wishes to remove the carrying system from his/her neck, then the position of the tethering and cord locking devices can be adjusted downward to increase the length of the portion of the cord that spans the cord locking mechanism so that the cord can be passed over the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the cord locking device  46  depicted in  FIG. 4 . The cord locking device comprises a press plate  58  that is displaceable in opposite directions that are parallel to an axis of a stem  62 . One end of the stem  62  is attached to the press plate  58 ; the other end of the stem  60  has a button  50  attached to it. The press plate  58  and a portion of the stem  62  reside in a chamber inside the housing  48  of the cord locking device  46 . Although not shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing  48  may be provided with means for restraining the movement of stem  62  so that the latter is only displaceable along its axis. 
         [0055]    As seen in  FIG. 5 , a compression spring  60  is anchored to the back wall of the housing  48  and to the press plate  58  in a manner whereby the spring  60  urges the press plate toward the front wall of the housing  48 . The portions of the neck cord  4  that pass through the cord locking device  46  are disposed in the space between the press plate  58  and an opposing portion of the front wall of housing  48 .  FIG. 5  shows the cord locking device  46  in a state wherein the press plate  58  presses the cord against the front wall of the housing  48 , thereby clamping the cord locking device (and the attached tethering device not shown in  FIG. 5 ) to the cord. When the button  50  is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow P, the press plate  58  is moved away from the front wall of the housing  48 , thereby releasing the cord  4 . In this unlocked state, the cord locking device and attached tethering device can be slid along the cord  4  to adjust their position. 
         [0056]    It should be appreciated that the cord locking device depicted in  FIG. 5  is disclosed for the purpose of illustration only. Cord locking devices having other mechanisms are known and commercially available and can be incorporated in various embodiments of the present invention. In cases where a neck strap is employed in place of a neck cord, the locking device must be specifically designed to mount to a strap, but the principle of operation as depicted in  FIG. 5  may be the same. It is also possible to use a cord or strap locking device that requires no release mechanism in cases where the resistance to movement of the locking device along the cord or strap is so great that there is little risk of the locking device sliding off of the ends of the cord or strap due to the weight of the portable device being supported. 
         [0057]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention partly shown in  FIG. 6 , the tethering and cord locking devices are both incorporated within a single housing to form a tethering device  64 .  FIG. 7  shows a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 . The housing of tethering device  64  may comprise an assembly of three molded plastic parts, which are indicated schematically in  FIG. 7 . The first housing part comprises a front wall  72  having a perimeter integrally formed with a side wall  74 ; the second housing part comprises a rear wall  76  having a perimeter integrally formed with a side wall  78 ; and the third housing part comprises a central wall  80  having a perimeter that is sandwiched between and joined to the side walls  74  and  78 . The walls  72 ,  74  and  80  form a chamber  66  that houses the reel  24  (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 7 ) of the tethering device  64 , while the walls  76 ,  78  and  80  form a chamber  68  that houses a spring-loaded press plate  58 . The side wall  74  is provided with an opening (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) through which the retractable line  8  (see  FIG. 6 ) passes. 
         [0058]    The cord locking mechanism is similar to that previously described with reference to  FIG. 5 , with one difference being that the stem  62  passes through reel  24  of the tethering device. The walls  72  and  80  are provided with openings to provide clearance for the stem  62 . Means (not shown) may be provided to constraining the stem to be movable only along its axis. The cord locking device comprises a compression spring  60  that is anchored to a mounting plate  70  and to the press plate  58 . The mounting plate  70  is attached to the rear wall  76 . The portions of the neck cord  4  that pass through the cord locking device are disposed in the space between the press plate  58  and an opposing portion of the central wall  80 . The spring  60  urges the press plate  58  toward the central wall  80 .  FIG. 7  shows the cord locking device in a state wherein the press plate  58  presses the cord against the central wall  80 , thereby clamping the tethering and cord locking devices to the cord. When the button  50  is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow P, the press plate  58  is moved away from the central wall  80 , thereby releasing the cord  4 . In this unlocked state, the entire assembly can be slid along the cord  4  to adjust its position and the position of the portable device depending from the universal adapter (only the double male part of which is shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0059]    In accordance with one implementation of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the reel  24  of the tethering device is rotatably mounted to and supported by the stem  62  and displaces with the stem as it moves when the button  50  is pressed and released. In this implementation, chamber  66  must provide clearance for the reel  24  as it moves. In accordance with this construction, a spiral spring (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) has one end anchored to the stem  62  and another end anchored to the reel to provide a spring force that urges the reel to rewind the extended line  8  (see  FIG. 6 ) when retraction of that line is desired. Other means could be used in place of the spring to cause the reel to rotate in a direction that winds up the retractable line. 
         [0060]    The device depicted in  FIG. 7  can be manufactured by attaching one end of stem  62  to the center of the press plate  58  and then attaching the spring  60  to the press plate  58  and mounting plate  70  to form a subassembly. That subassembly is then placed onto the rear wall  76  of the housing and the mounting plate  70  is joined thereto. Then the cord  4  is placed so that one portion lies in two recesses formed in side wall  78  and another portion lies in another two recesses formed in side wall  78 , as partly seen in  FIG. 6 . Then the stem  62  is passed through an opening in the central wall  80 . The central wall is pressed into place on top of the cord and then its perimeter is joined to the side wall  78 . Then the retractable reel  24  is mounted to the stem  62 . At the next stage of manufacture, the stem  62  is passed through an opening in the front wall  72  as the front component of the housing is placed over the reel and then the side wall  74  is joined to the central wall  80 . Finally, the button  50  is joined to the other end of the stem  62 . 
         [0061]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 , instead of the tethering device being attached to the back of the housing of the cord locking device, the tethering device  6  may be placed in front of the cord locking device and attached to the protruding end of the stem  62  in place of a button. Otherwise the operation of the tethering and cord locking devices would be as previously described. 
         [0062]    As previously described, the cell phone or other portable device can be disconnected from the tethering device by simply uncoupling the universal adapter parts from each other. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , one part  12  of the universal adaptor (which adapter is “universal” in the sense that it can be used with any type of portable device) is attached to the end of the retractable line  8  of the tethering device and stays with the tethering device when the parts of the universal adapter are uncoupled. Conversely, as seen in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 , the other part  14  of the universal adapter is attached to the cell phone  2  (or other portable device) by means of a line  26  of flexible material and stays with the cell phone when the parts of the universal adapter are uncoupled. 
         [0063]    In the example shown in  FIG. 9 , the cell phone  2  is of a type having a short bar  82  separated from the main body of the cell phone by an opening  84 . Similarly, the second adapter part  14  has an eyelet  86 . The line  26  consists of a loop of nylon filament of the type used for fishing line or to hang picture frames. Nylon filament having a diameter of 10 to 18 mils and a test strength of up to 25 pounds can be utilized for portable electronic device applications. The loop could be made of other flexible material. For heavy-duty applications, the line  26  and other components of the assembly will naturally need to be designed to withstand greater weights. 
         [0064]    In accordance with the implementation depicted in  FIG. 9 , a portion of the loop  26  of nylon filament is threaded through the opening of the eyelet  86  on the adapter part  14  and then the remainder of the loop is passed through that portion of the loop that was threaded, as a result of which the loop  26  is wrapped around a portion of the eyelet  86  and thereby attached to the adapter part  14 . Then the other end of the loop is threaded through the opening  84  of the cell phone  2  and wrapped around the bar  82 . Then the remainder of the loop and the adapter part  14  are passed through that portion of the loop that was threaded through opening  84 , thereby attaching the cell phone to the adapter part  14 . Preferably, the loop is not unnecessarily long so that the cell phone, when it hangs from the universal adapter, will be as close to the adapter as possible. Obviously the length of the loop must be sufficient to allow the aforementioned procedures to be performed, including allowing the adapter part  14  to pass through the loop after it has been threaded through the opening  84  of the cell phone  2 . 
         [0065]    In the alternative, instead of a loop, a length of nylon filament (or filament made of other material) could be used, in which case it would be necessary to tie one end of the filament to the eyelet of the adapter part  14  and tie the other end of the filament to the bar  82 . Alternatively, the end of the filament could be glued, taped or otherwise attached to the adapter part and the portable device to be carried. 
         [0066]      FIG. 10  shows a method of attaching an adapter part  14  to a cell phone  2  (or other portable device) of a type that lacks an opening through which the loop  26  of nylon filament can be threaded. This implementation involves the attachment of a panel  88  to the back of the cell phone by means of adhesive applied to the portion of panel  88  that lies below the dashed line  92 . The portion of panel  88  that lies above the dashed line  92  is not coated with adhesive, so that when the panel is adhered to the back of the cell phone, portion  90  of the panel forms a free flap. The portion  90  has an opening  94  formed therein, which enables the attachment of loop  26  to the panel in the manner previously described with reference to  FIG. 9 . The self-adhesive panel  90  may be included as part of a kit that includes the tethering device, the universal adapter, the neck cord or other supporting device and so forth. For sale as part of a kit, the adhesive material applied on one side of the panel  88  is adhered to a removable liner of release material that can be easily peeled off when the cell phone owner wants to adhere the panel to his/her cell phone. Obviously, the foregoing technique for attaching the adapter part has application for any portable device that has sufficient free surface area to receive the adhered panel. Also, it should be noted that, although  FIG. 10  shows the panel  88  in an off-center position near the top of the cell phone, it may be preferred that the panel be attached nearer to the middle of the phone so that the weight of the phone is distributed equally and the phone does not hang at an angle. 
         [0067]    One extremely advantageous aspect of the invention is that the universal adapter  10  can be plugged into the tethering device for storage, thereby decreasing the range of motion of the depending portable device being carried by a moving person or vehicle.  FIG. 11  is a schematic that seeks to illustrate the basic concept of plugging the universal adaptor into the housing  18  of the tethering device  6 . To properly interpret this drawing, it must be understood that the dashed circle  18  represents the outer profile of the housing of the tethering device, while the solid circle  24  represents the outer circumference of the retractable reel that is housed inside the housing  18 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the tethering device housing  18  may comprise two molded plastic parts that form a chamber  66 . The chamber  66  may be designed to have bearing surfaces that prevent displacement of the reel when the latter is rotating, e.g., during payout or retraction of the line  8 . A portion of line  8  passes through an opening  30  in housing  18  and the end of line  18  is attached to a double-ended male adapter part  12 . 
         [0068]    Returning to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment of the universal adapter  10  is shown, one adapter part  12  being shown in solid lines and the other adapter part  14  being shown in dashed lines for the sake of clarity. As previously described, a loop  26  of flexible material is attached to a portion of the adapter part  14 . To facilitate threading of the loop  26  into an opening on the cell phone or other portable device, a portion of the loop  26  is crimped. The crimped portion  28  is then inserted into the opening first to facilitate threading. Instead of starting with a loop and then crimping, the loop  26  may be formed by crimping together the ends of a length of filament made, e.g., of nylon or other thermoplastic material. 
         [0069]    In accordance with the embodiment of the universal adapter depicted in  FIG. 11 , adapter part  14  is a female adapter part having a recess for receiving a projecting portion of the adapter part  12 . The structure of the adapter part  14  for this embodiment is best understood by looking at both of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , which respectively show adapter part  12  from the top and from the side. The female adapter part  14  is not shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0070]    As seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the adapter part  12  is a double-ended male adapter part preferably formed as a single molded plastic piece. This exemplary adapter part  12  comprises a body  96  having a platform  98  integrally formed therewith and projecting in cantilevered fashion from one side and having a plug  100  integrally formed therewith and projecting in cantilevered fashion from the other side in the opposite direction. The platform  98  has an opening  104 . A body  16  is connected to the tip of the platform by a neck that allows the body  16  to flex into and out of the page as seen in  FIG. 11 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the body  16  projects outside the plane of the platform  98 . What is not visible in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is an opening in the female adapter part  14  that communicates with the recess that receives the platform  98  and body  16  when the male adapter part  12  is plugged into the female adapter part  14 . In order to enter the recess, the body  16  is deflected downward into the opening  104  in the platform  98 . During this action, the necked portion that connects the body  16  to the platform  98  is flexed, producing a spring force that urges the body back to its original undeflected position. When the platform  98  is fully inserted into the recess of the female adapter part  14 , the body  16  becomes aligned with the aforementioned opening in the female adapter part and the flexed neck urges the body  16  into the opening in the female adapter part. When the body  16  snaps into the opening in this manner, the male adapter part is effectively coupled or latched to the female adapter part. In this coupled state, the top of the body  16  protrudes outside of the female adapter part, where it is accessible to the person wearing the universal adapter. By pressing the body  16  with the tip of a finger, the coupled male and female adapter parts can be uncoupled and pulled apart. This manner of coupling and uncoupling male and female parts of an adapter is known in the art. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the plug  100  of the double-ended male adapter part  12  plugs into a receptacle  106  formed in the housing  18  of the tethering device  6 . One wall of the receptacle  106  has a lip  108 . A series of bumps  102  project from one side of the plug  100 . When the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle  106  with sufficient force, the bumps  102  snap into place behind the lip  108 . The lip  108  now presents an obstacle to removal of the plug  100  from the receptacle  106  by blocking passage of the bumps  102 . The resistance to plug removal posed by the lip  102  can be overcome when the male adapter part is pulled out with sufficient force. Naturally, the plug  100  and receptacle  106  must be designed so that the amount of force sufficient to uncouple the universal adapter from the tethering device will be greater than forces produced inadvertently while the depending cell phone or other portable device is being carried by a moving person or vehicle. 
         [0072]      FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment for the plug end of the double-ended male adapter part  12 . In this implementation, the plug comprises two prongs  110  and  112 . Each prong has a series of bumps  102  that respectively snap behind mutually opposing lips  108  that form part of the receptacle  106 . The prongs  110  and  112  are sufficiently thin that they are flexible and can be squeezed together when the person wearing the tethering device wishes to couple or uncouple the universal adapter to or from the tethering device. As seen in  FIG. 13 , the prongs  110  and  112  should be of sufficient length that there is enough room between base  96  of the male adapter part and housing  18  of the tethering device to accommodate the tips of human fingers. 
         [0073]    Although not preferred, for embodiments that have a cord locking device, a receptacle for docking the universal adapter may be provided in the housing of the cord locking device instead of in the housing of the tethering device. 
         [0074]      FIG. 14  shows a system for carrying and securing a portable device comprising a tethering device  6  of a type previously described mounted to the front of a cord locking device  46  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The tethering and cord locking devices for this implementation are shown in section in  FIG. 15 . In this example, the cord locking device is released by pressing a pair of buttons  114  and  116  slidable mounted to the sides of the housing  48  of the cord locking device  46 . The buttons  114  and  116  are wedge-shaped and have angled surfaces that contact respective ends of the press plate  58  (previously described). When the buttons  114  and  116  are pressed toward each other so that they abut the press plate  58 , they cam the press plate toward the rear wall of the housing  48 , as indicated by two small arrows. The amount of force applied to the buttons must be sufficient to overcome the force of the spring  60 , which urges the press plate against the cord  4 , thereby clamping the tethering device to the cord. When the press plate  58  is cammed rearward, the cord is released and the tethering and cord locking devices can be slided along the cord to a desired position. 
         [0075]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a tethering device with a universal adapter can be mounted to a clasp or buckle for fastening two ends of a strap or belt.  FIG. 16  shows a cell phone  2  depending from one part  118  of a buckle of a belt  122  by means of a tethering device  6  having a retractable line and a universal adapter  10  attached to the retractable line. A tethering device and a universal adapter of the types previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  11 - 13  can be used. The universal adapter is shown coupled to the tethering device in the manner previously described with reference to  FIGS. 11-13 . The belt  122  is preferably made of heavy-duty non-rolling elastic material and stretches to fit different waistlines. However, the invention may be applied to any belt having a buckle. The buckle shown in  FIG. 16  is conventional and comprises a plastic female part  118  and a plastic male part  120  that couples to the female part when inserted therein. The tethering device  6  can be attached to the plastic buckle part  118  by any conventional means, such as gluing. However, the buckle need not be made of plastic. For example, if the buckle is made of metal or metal alloy, then the tethering device could be attached by means of screws. Alternatively, if the housing of the tethering device is also made of metal or metal alloy, the buckle and the tethering device could be soldered or welded together. Alternatively, the tethering device can be manufactured as an integral part of the buckle no matter what material is used. 
         [0076]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a tethering device with a universal adapter can be hung from a belt loop or a buttonhole.  FIG. 17  shows a cell phone  2  depending from a belt loop  124  of trousers or pants  126 . Alternatively, the belt loop could be part of a skirt. A tethering device and a universal adapter of the types previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  11 - 13  can be used. The tethering device  6  is hung by means of a clip  128 . Alternatively, the tethering device can be hung from the belt loop using a loop of material, a hook or a cord. If a cord is used, then the entire system would be similar to the system shown in  FIG. 3 , except the cord would be much shorter. 
         [0077]      FIG. 18  shows a cell phone  2  depending from a wrist band  130  by means of a tethering device  6  having a retractable line  8  and a universal adapter  10  attached to the retractable line  8  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. The wrist band  130  is preferably made of heavy-duty non-rolling elastic material and stretches to fit different wrist sizes. The tethering device  6  can be attached to the wrist band  130  by any conventional means, such as gluing. A similar band, but larger in size, can be fit on an arm or a leg. 
         [0078]      FIG. 22  shows a further embodiment whereby two tethering devices  64  are supported by the same neck cord  4 , thereby allowing two portable devices, e.g., a cell phone  2  and an IPOD® music player  140 , to be carried at different elevations by a person. 
         [0079]    It should be appreciated that the foregoing discussion concerning usage of the invention in conjunction with a cell phone is set forth for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the application of the invention to cell phones. The invention has application with other portable electronic devices, such as pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and so forth. Although the invention is well suited for carrying and securing portable electronic devices, which are susceptible to being damaged or lost when dropped, the invention also has application for portable devices that are not electronic, such as tools, keys, gadgets, and so forth. 
         [0080]    Each system disclosed hereinabove may be sold as part of a respective kit that includes one male adapter part and multiple female adapter parts. The multiple female adapter parts may be attached to respective portable devices so that those devices can be interchangeably carried using the same system. Furthermore, different support systems could be included in the same kit, each support system having its own male adapter part. Again a multiplicity of female adapter parts could be included in such a kit to facilitate use of different portable devices with the various support systems. 
         [0081]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for members thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.