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&#39;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 A tether cord is stored in a housing, may be withdrawn from the housing, and has a free end connected to one of the first and second connecting elements with the other connected to the housing.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 everywhere. 
         [0004]    A further consequence of the use of smart phones is that they can be used for many functions over and above basic phone functions. Commonly, they are used for email, texting, and accessing the internet. As such, many smart phone users wish to have their smart phones with them at all times, and will use them frequently. Many users will habitually check their smart phones at regular intervals for email messages and the like. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide some means for a user to ensure that his or her smart phone does not become lost or misplace, particularly in public situations, such as bars, restaurants and the like, where the phone can easily be misplace or stolen. Additionally, any such means or device should prevent a user from accidently dropping a phone or other mobile or hand held device. 
         [0007]    There have been other proposals addressing this issue. 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. 
       SUMMARY 
       [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. 
         [0009]    The present invention can be used with any hand held device, such as a smart phone, any other type of mobile phone, tablets and other hand held computing devices, hand held game consoles and similar devices. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provide a lockable attachment device for securing a hand held device, the attachment device comprising: a first connecting element connecting the attachment device to the hand held device; a second connecting element for securing the attachment device with the hand connected held device; a housing; a tether cord stored in the housing having a free end connected to one of the first and second connecting elements with the other of the first and second connecting elements connected to the housing, wherein the housing includes a retraction device for retracting the tether cord into the housing, and a locking element for locking the tether relative to the housing, to enable a portion of the tether cord held extending unrestrained from the housing. 
         [0011]    The locking element enables the tether cord to be locked at any one of multiple positions, and more generally any the cord can be locked with any desired length of the tether cord extending from the housing. At any time the lock can be release and reset to adjust the length of the tether cord, either by increasing or decreasing the length of the cord. 
         [0012]    The lockable attachment device may include an outer case comprising a first portion, providing the first connecting element, for mounting to the hand held device, and a second portion providing the housing for the tether cord. 
         [0013]    The first portion of the outer case may comprise a back surface panel and edge surface panels for engaging the hand held device, and a lip extending from the edge surface panels to secure the hand held device within the first portion. The second portion of the outer case may extend from the back surface panel of the first portion and may be configured to provide a stand for the hand held device. 
         [0014]    Optionally, the second connecting element is adapted to provide a connection to one of a belt, a belt loop and a loop of a bag, and can comprises a carabiner clip. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the lockable attachment device includes a wrist band, providing the second connecting element. 
         [0016]    The housing may include 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. The device can further include locking teeth on the reel and a locking switch for engagement with the locking teeth of the reel. 
         [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. 
         [0018]    Alternatively, the first connecting element comprises a case for the hand held device, and wherein the free end of the tether cord is connected to the case. 
         [0019]    The case may then comprise an inner casing formed from a hard material and provided with an attachment loop, and an outer casing formed from a softer material to provide cushioning for the hand held device and having an opening through which the loop of the harder casing extends. Optionally, the inner casing is formed from polycarbonate and the outer casing is formed from silicone rubber. The inner casing may comprise a back surface panel, edge surface panels and a lip, adapted to securely hold the hand held device, and further can include openings to provide access to one or more of control buttons, a microphone, a loud speaker and a camera of the hand held device. 
         [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. 
         [0021]    A further aspect of the present invention provides an attachment device for securely attaching a hand held device, the attachment device comprising: a first connecting element connecting the attachment device to the hand held device; a second connecting element for securing the attachment device with the hand connected held device; a housing; a tether cord stored in the housing having a free end connected to one of the first and second connecting elements with the other of the first and second connecting elements connected to the housing, wherein the housing includes a reel for the tether cord and a spring biasing the reel to maintain the tether cord fully withdrawn into housing and wound on the reel, wherein the spring is sufficiently strong to maintain the tether cord fully wound on the reel when the weight of the hand held device and the attachment device is applied to the tether cord. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0022]    For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a lockable attachment device in accordance with the present invention attached to a mobile phone; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the lockable attachment device and the mobile phone of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lockable attachment device and mobile phone of  FIG. 1  from another angle; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  of the lockable attachment device and the mobile phone; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c  are perspective views similar to  FIG. 1 , showing a tether cord being pulled out, the tether cord in a locked position, and the tether cord being retracted back into the device; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the lockable attachment device on a mobile phone; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 6 , with a mobile phone shown in dotted outline; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a variant of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view showing components of the attachment device of the present invention and a mobile phone. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the lockable attachment device; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective of a fourth embodiment of the lockable attachment device; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of fifth embodiment of the lockable attachment device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses or methods that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. One or more inventions may reside in a combination or sub-combination of the apparatus elements or method steps described below or in other parts of this document. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. The applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) reserve all rights in any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document. 
         [0036]    In the first embodiment of the lockable attachment device shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an exemplary mobile phone is indicated at  10 , and here is a smart phone. It is further to be understood that the device can be any desired hand held device. As is known, a smart phone can include a number of different features, and these will vary from phone to phone. The present invention can be adapted to suit any smart phone. In this exemplary embodiment, the smart phone  10  can be an iPhone manufactured by Apple. As such, it may include a sleep/wake button  12 , a home button  14 , a camera  16  and a flash  18 . At one end it may have a connector socket  20 , for recharging the phone. Additionally, at an end surface there can also be provided, for example, a headset jack, a microphone and/or a speaker. These various features will vary from phone to phone, and it will be understood that a casing or housing of the present invention will be varied to accommodate different arrangement of these and other common elements on mobile phones, or other mobile devices. 
         [0037]    The front surface of the phone has a home button  14 , and can include a front microphone and, optionally, a front camera. Along one side edge of the iPhone  10 , not shown, there are volume buttons. 
         [0038]    The first embodiment of the attachment device  30  of the present invention provides an outer case  32 , that may be formed of a suitable resilient material (e.g. silicone rubber). The outer case  32  comprises a first portion  34  for mounting the smart phone  10  and a second portion  36  for a tether mechanism, detailed below. 
         [0039]    The first portion  34  is configured to engage the back, side and end surfaces of the iPhone or other smart phone  10 . As such, it includes a back surface panel  38 , side and edge surface panels  40 , and an engaging lip  42 . (The engaging lip  42  is most clearly seen in  FIG. 4 .) 
         [0040]    To accommodate the various features of the smart phone  10 , appropriate openings can be provided in the panels  38 ,  40  and  42 . For use with the iPhone  10 , an opening  44  can be provided in one bottom edge panel  40 , to provide access to the connector socket  20  and other features. In one side panel is an opening  46 , to provide access to the volume buttons, and in the back surface panel  38  there is an opening  48  for the camera and flash. 
         [0041]    The second portion  36  of the outer case  30  is generally convex and is configured to provide secure mounting of a tether mechanism  60 . The second portion  36  includes a large aperture  50 , to provide visual access, to make the user aware of its operation. It also includes a tether aperture  52  and a side aperture  54  for a locking switch, detailed below. This second portion  36  is also configured to provide a stand for the phone  10 , to stand the phone on either one of its edges at an inclined angle to a horizontal surface. 
         [0042]    The tether mechanism  60  has a bottom housing  62  and a top housing  64 . The housing  62 ,  64  can be joined together by screws. The bottom housing  62  includes a shaft  66 , on which is mounted a reel  68  for a tether cord  70 . For this purpose, the reel  68  includes an annular groove  72  around its outer periphery. 
         [0043]    Internally, the reel  68  is hollow. A coil spring  74  is mounted within the reel  68  engaging both the reel  68  and the shaft  66 , so as to rotationally bias the reel  68 , to wind the tether cord  70  onto the reel  68  within the housing. 
         [0044]    The bottom surface of the reel  68  includes a shallow cylindrical projection  76  with a number of projecting, locking teeth  78 . 
         [0045]    A locking switch  80  is mounting in the side aperture  54  for sliding movement. The locking switch  80  includes a locking catch  82  adapted to engage the reel  68  between the teeth  78 , to effect the locking action. 
         [0046]    The tether cord  70  is intended to be attached, in a variety of different ways, to a user, to affect secure mounting of the combined attachment device  30  and smart phone  10  to a user. In this exemplary embodiment, the tether cord  70  is provided with a loop at its free end  90  secured to a carabiner S-clip  92 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the other end of the S-clip  92  may be connected to a wrist band  100  that is made out of a suitable material, such as silicone rubber. The wrist band  100  can be provided in a variety of different sizes, to accommodate difference hand and wrist sizes. The wrist band  100  includes a loop portion  102 , to which the other end of the carabiner S-clip  92  is connected. While a carabiner type of clip is shown, it will be understood that any suitable type of clip could be used. 
         [0048]    It will be understood that the tether cord  70  can be attached or secured to a user in a variety of different ways. For example, the cord  70  can be attached to a user&#39;s belt (not shown). The belt can be provided with a device to which the S-clip  92  can be connected. Alternatively, the S-clip  92  can be attached to a belt loop on a user&#39;s pants, or to a bag, backpack or other item of clothing. 
         [0049]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  to demonstrate use of the device. 
         [0050]    The coil spring  74  is mounted so that it usually maintains the tether cord  70  fully wound up, with only a small portion or none of tether cord exposed outside of the tether mechanism  60 . The tether aperture  52  can be such that, when unrestrained, the coil spring  74  maintains the tether cord  70  in tension with the S-clip  92  abutting the housing  62 . Tension of the spring  74  can keep the S-clip snug and at least partially within the outer case  32 . While not always necessary, to ensure that the tether cord is not accidentally pulled from the device, the locking switch  80  can be in a locked position. Otherwise, it can be left in an unlocked position, as shown at  80   a  in  FIG. 5   a . In this condition, the S-clip  92  automatically retracts to a default position. 
         [0051]    Then, with the S-clip  92  connected to the wrist band  100  or otherwise secured to a user, a user can pull the phone  10  with the attachment device  30  away from the S-clip  92 , to pull out or unwind a length of the cord  70 . Once a sufficient length of the cord  70  has been unwound, the locking switch  80  is slid into the locking position, engaging the teeth  78 , to lock the reel  68 . The movement of the locking switch  80  to the locked position is indicated at  80   b  in  FIG. 5   b . 
         [0052]    Significantly, the phone  10  is then free for use, without the tether cord  70  being in tension. Many other proposals have any mounting cord in continuous tension which is inconvenient for a user. 
         [0053]    Here, the user can ensure that a sufficient length of the cord  70  is free, so that the user can use the smart phone  10  in an unhindered fashion. 
         [0054]    Once the user has finished usage of the phone, the tether cord  70  can be rewound. As indicated in  5   c,  the locking switch is moved to the position  80   c,  the unlocked position, permitting the spring mechanism  74  to rewind the tether cord  70  onto the reel  68 , i.e. to retract the tether cord  70  to the default position. 
         [0055]    To ensure that once rewound, the cord  70  remains rewound, different techniques can be used. 
         [0056]    Firstly, the coil spring  74  can be dimensioned to provide sufficient tension in the tether cord  70  that will counteract the weight of the combined smart phone  10  and attachment device  30 , i.e. the spring  74  is strong enough to counteract this weight. Then, even absent use of the locking switch  80 , the cord  70  will normally be maintained in a fully rewound position, even if the phone  10  is hangs down and is only supported by the tether cord  70 . Alternatively, or as well, the locking switch  80  can be used to secure the tether cord  70  in the wound position. 
         [0057]    It will also be understood that the locking switch  80  can be used for other purposes. For example, if the free end  90  of the tether cord is connected to a user&#39;s belt or belt loop, the user may wish to carry the phone in a pocket of his or her pants, rather than have the phone lose and exposed. For this purpose, the user can unlock the reel  68 , pull out a short length of the cord  70  sufficient to enable the phone  10  to be placed in a pocket of the user&#39;s pants. The locking switch  80  can then be switched to the locked position so that there is a comfortable length of cord  70  that enables the phone  10  to freely rest in the pant pocket, without there being an excessive exposed length of cord  70 . This feature also applies to handbag and backpacks. 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, the case  32  provides the first connecting element and the S-clip  92  provides the second connecting element. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show an alternative embodiment in which the attachment device is separate from the smart phone. There are many known cases for iPhones and other smart phones, and many cases have multiple layers. Here the case is indicated at  110  and comprises an inner layer or casing  112  of relatively hard material and an outer layer or casing  114  of relatively soft or resilient material. For example, the inner layer  112  can be formed of polycarbonate and the outer layer  114  can be silicone rubber. 
         [0060]    Here, the inner layer  112  is provided with a mounted loop or ring  116  that extends through an opening in the outer layer  114 . 
         [0061]    In accordance with the present invention, the attachment device is now indicated at  120  and is provided separately from the case  110 . One end of the attachment device  120  is provided with a carabiner clip or other suitable mounting device indicated at  122 , and this may be provided immediately adjacent the main body of the attachment device  120 . 
         [0062]    The attachment device  120  otherwise has a tether cord  124  that extends from the attachment device  120 . The attachment device  120  can have a coil spring mechanism as described above for the earlier embodiment. Again, the free end of the tether cord  124  is connected to an S-clip  126  or other suitable mounting devices shown connected to the loop  116  of the iPhone case  110 . The device can include a locking switch  128  for the reel and spring mechanism, similarly to the first embodiment. Here, the case  110  provides the first connecting element and the clip or other mounting device provides the second connecting element. 
         [0063]    As before, the spring within the attachment device  120  can be provided with a locking switch. Alternatively, the attachment device  120  can be provided with a ratchet mechanism, so that, as the tether cord  124  is pulled from the attachment device  120 , the ratchet locks it in a position. A switch can be provided to release the ratchet mechanism. 
         [0064]    The cases  32  and  110  can be formed from silicone rubber, as can the wrist band  100 . All silicone rubber parts may be provided with an antimicrobial coating. 
         [0065]    Reference now we made to  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , which show alternative embodiments of the present invention. Like components are given the same reference numeral as in the earlier embodiments. Thus, each of these embodiments is intended for use with a smartphone  10 , which again may be an I-Phone or other type of phone. 
         [0066]    The third embodiment of the lockable attachment device of the present invention is indicated at  130  in  FIG. 10 . This third embodiment has an outer case  132 , that houses the tether mechanism  60  in a manner similar to the earlier embodiment. A locking switch  80  is shown as for the earlier embodiment. Similarly, the tether  78  extends as in the earlier embodiment. 
         [0067]    Here the case  32  includes clips  134  adapted to engage four corners of the phone  10 . The clips can be adjustable to accommodate phones of different sizes and dimensions. 
         [0068]    A fourth embodiment is indicated generally by the reference  140 . This embodiment has an outer case  142  that essentially includes just a portion  146  equivalent to the second portion  36  of the first embodiment. Thus, there is no portion intended to engage or hold the phone  10 . Instead, an adhesive, indicated schematically at  148  is applied to the back surface of the case  142 , to adhere the case  142  to the phone  10 . The adhesive  148  may be applied either to the entire rear surface, or in selected locations on the rear surface of the case  142 . 
         [0069]    A fifth embodiment of the device is indicated by the reference  150 . Here the device  150  includes a case  152  that, as for the previous embodiment, essentially just has portion  156  in casing the tether mechanism  60 . 
         [0070]    The case  152  is provided with a clip  158  for mounting onto a belt or the like, separately from phone  10 . The tether mechanism  60  includes the tether cord  70  and a carabiner S-clip, here indicated at  160 , for connection to the actual phone  10  or a separate case around the phone  10 , as in  FIG. 6 .