Patent ID: 8678255

Claim:
A personal portable device keeper, comprising: a housing formed by a base and a shell having an opening or a port, said base supporting pivotally said shell and having a spindle or an axle extending axially inside said housing, said spindle or axle supporting pivotally a spool with a central cavity, said spool being urged by a spiral spring disposed in said cavity, said spring being secured at both ends to said spindle or axle and said spool respectively, a length of cord being wound around said spool, said cord being secured at one end to said spool and exposed at the other end to said opening or port, and a secure means for securing or mounting said base to an external object, a ratchet means for controlling the rewind of said cord, said ratchet means being completely independent of said shell and fully operable through said cord by first pulling and then relaxing in such a way that, after relaxed, said cord is not rewound if pulled for a length longer than a first predetermined length but said cord is rewound if pulled for a length shorter than a second predetermined length and longer than a third predetermined length, and said first predetermined length being longer than said second predetermined length, whereby after tying or securing a portable electronic device with said exposed end, the user can operate said keeper with one-hand while handling or holding said portable electronic device.