U.S. patent application number 12/727367 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for retractable lanyard for securing personal multimedia devices.
Invention is credited to Roddy J. Jasa.
Application Number | 20110226823 12/727367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44646437 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jasa; Roddy J. |
September 22, 2011 |
Retractable Lanyard for Securing Personal Multimedia Devices
Abstract
A retractable lanyard assembly connects directly to the docking
port of a personal multimedia device, eliminating the potential
entanglement of the device via external connecting points, while
protecting the docking port from foreign objects, dust, and
moisture. The lanyard assembly can be secured to various static
objects including a belt; thus, securing the personal multimedia
devices to the owner and protecting it from theft, loss, or damage
due to dropping.
Inventors: |
Jasa; Roddy J.; (Portland,
OR) |
Family ID: |
44646437 |
Appl. No.: |
12/727367 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/162 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A lanyard assembly comprising: a housing defining an interior
chamber; a self-winding reel disposed within said internal chamber;
a lanyard having a first end connected to said reel and a second
end terminating in a first attachment fixture outside said housing;
a second attachment fixture; a coupling ring interconnecting said
first attachment fixture with said second attachment fixture; a
dock connector affixed to said second attachment fixture; and a
clip affixed to said housing.
2. The lanyard assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing is further
comprises: a front surface; a back surface; and a peripheral edge,
wherein said clip is affixed to said back planar surface.
3. The lanyard assembly of claim 2 wherein said clip further
comprises; an open end; a closed end; a first leg; and a second
leg, wherein said first leg is affixed to said back planar surface
and wherein said second leg resides parallel to said first leg.
4. The lanyard assembly of claim 1 wherein said dock connector is
generally a rectangular prism and further comprises; a front face;
a back face; a first side face; a second side face; a top face; a
bottom face; a first engagement button; a second engagement button;
a 30-pin assembly; a first retractable retention tab; and a second
retractable retention tab.
5. The lanyard assembly of claim 4 wherein said first engagement
button resides on said first side face and wherein said second
engagement button resides on said second side face.
6. The lanyard assembly of claim 5 wherein said 30 pin assembly
protrudes generally perpendicularly from said bottom face of said
dock connector, and wherein said first retractable retention tab
and said second retractable retention tab extend normally from said
30 pin assembly.
7. The lanyard assembly of claim 6 wherein said first engagement
button corresponds to said first retractable retention tab such
that when first engagement button is depressed, said first
retractable retention tab retracts; and wherein said second
engagement button corresponds to said second retractable retention
tab such that when said engagement button is depressed, said second
retractable retention tab retracts.
8. A lanyard assembly comprising: a housing, comprising a front
surface, a back surface, and a peripheral edge, defining an
interior chamber, wherein a self-winding reel is disposed within
said internal chamber; a lanyard having a first end connected to
said reel and a second end terminating in a first attachment
fixture outside said housing, wherein said first attachment fixture
resides perpendicular to said peripheral edge; a second attachment
fixture; a swivel means connecting said first attachment fixture
with said second attachment fixture; a dock connector affixed to
said second attachment fixture comprising a front face, a back
face, a first side face, a second side face, a top face, a bottom
face, a first engagement button, a second engagement button, a
30-pin assembly, a first retractable retention tab, and a second
retractable retention tab, wherein said first engagement button
resides on said first side face and said second engagement button
resides on said second side face, and wherein said 30-pin assembly
protrudes generally perpendicularly from said bottom face of said
dock connector, and wherein said first retractable retention tab
and said second retractable retention tab extend normally from said
30-pin assembly; and a clip comprising an open end, a closed end, a
first leg, and a second leg, wherein said first leg is affixed to
said back planar surface and wherein said second leg resides
parallel to said first leg, and wherein said second leg is
partially bent at said open end away from said first leg.
9. The lanyard assembly of claim 8 wherein said swivel means is a
coupling ring.
10. The lanyard assembly of claim 8 wherein said lanyard is
composed of a flexible steel coated in plastic.
11. The lanyard assembly of claim 8 wherein said lanyard is between
15-35 inches in length.
12. The lanyard assembly of claim 10 wherein said lanyard is
between 15-35 inches in length.
13. The lanyard assembly of claim 9 wherein said clip is comprised
of spring steel.
14. The lanyard assembly of claim 9 wherein said open end of said
clip resides parallel to said first attachment fixture.
15. The lanyard assembly of claim 9 wherein said open end of said
clip resides perpendicular to said first attachment fixture.
16. A lanyard assembly comprising: a cylindrical housing,
comprising a front convex surface, a back planar surface, a
peripheral edge, a front beveled edge, and a back beveled edge
defining an interior chamber, wherein a self-winding reel is
disposed within said internal chamber; a lanyard having a first end
connected to said reel and a second end terminating in a first
attachment fixture outside said housing, and a length of 15-35
inches, wherein said first attachment fixture resides perpendicular
to said peripheral edge; a second attachment fixture; a swivel
means interconnecting said first attachment fixture with said
second attachment fixture; a dock connector affixed to said second
attachment fixture comprising a front face, a back face, a first
side face, a second side face, a top face, a bottom face, a first
engagement button, a second engagement button, a 30-pin assembly, a
first retractable retention tab, and a second retractable retention
tab, wherein said first engagement button resides on said first
side face and said second engagement button resides on said second
side face, and wherein said 30-pin assembly protrudes generally
perpendicularly from said bottom face of said dock connector, and
wherein said first retractable retention tab and said second
retractable retention tab extend normally from said 30-pin
assembly; and a loop affixed to said back planar surface of said
cylindrical housing for secure attachment to a static element.
17. A lanyard assembly of claim 16 wherein said swivel means is a
coupling ring.
18. The lanyard assembly of claim 17 wherein said loop is comprised
of spring steel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to lanyards. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the retractable
connection of a lanyard to a personal multimedia device.
[0002] Today, cell phones do more than just place and receive
calls. Advanced capabilities such as Internet access, email, video
shooting and storage, photograph shooting and storage, and music
playing and storage of today's multimedia smartphones are quickly
making these devices highly coveted by non-owners and highly
guarded by owners.
[0003] Small, lightweight, and expensive, it is advantageous to
keep personal multimedia devices close to the owner, making it
easier for the owner to access the device and protect it from loss,
theft, or inadvertent damage due to dropping. A simple solution to
prevent damage, loss, or theft of these devices has been the use of
a lanyard.
[0004] Especially popular are Apple's.RTM. personal multimedia
devices, such as the Iphone.TM. and the Ipod.RTM.. These devices
are equipped with a port, by which the device can be connected to
any number of external sources; for example, for charging or
syncing of the device. A 30-pin dock connector is used to connect
the multimedia device to an external resource. Since the port, that
receives the 30-pin connector is how the multimedia device is
linked to an external source both mechanically and electronically,
it is extremely important to keep it clean, dry, and protected from
inadvertent damage from foreign objects.
[0005] A known lanyard assembly described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,354,304 involves the use of a two-part inter-locking housing that
is permanently affixed to the multimedia device. Disadvantageously,
this approach creates a point of interference where the electronic
device can be caught or snagged, possibly resulting in damage to
the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the invention, a retractable lanyard
system attaches to a personal multimedia device via a dock
connector; thus, eliminating all externally mounted connection
assemblies on the multimedia device required by the prior art to
receive the lanyard connection. Possible entanglement of the device
via externally mounted connection assemblies, or connection points
to the multimedia device are completely circumvented, and
additionally, the port for receiving the 30-pin connector is kept
clean, dray and protected from inadvertent damage.
[0007] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of
this specification. However, both the organization and method of
operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects,
features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in
greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top view of the of the lanyard assembly;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lanyard assembly;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lanyard assembly;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the lanyard assembly
about to engage a personal multimedia device;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the lanyard assembly
engaged with a personal multimedia device;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the lanyard assembly
engaged with a personal multimedia device wherein the lanyard is
partially extended;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of the lanyard assembly
engaged with a personal multimedia device wherein the lanyard is
partially extended;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of a first alternate
embodiment of the lanyard assembly engaged with a personal
multimedia device wherein the lanyard is partially extended;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a second alternate
embodiment of the lanyard assembly engaged with a personal
multimedia device wherein the lanyard is partially extended;
and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front partial cut-away view of the housing of
the lanyard assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the lanyard assembly 10 of the
present invention is shown. The assembly includes a cylindrical
housing 12. The housing 12 has a front convex surface 14, a back
planar surface 16, a peripheral edge 18 a front beveled edge 17 and
a back beveled edge 19.
[0019] The internal chamber of the cylindrical housing 12 is
illustrated in FIG. 10. As is well know in the art, the internal
chamber of the cylindrical housing 12 contains a self-winding reel
5 of which is wound a lanyard 30. One end of the lanyard 30 is
connected to the reel periphery, while the free end terminates
through the peripheral edge 18 of the housing in an attachment
fixture 32. The self-winding reel 5 includes a spiral spring 7
which allows the lanyard 30 to be extended away from the housing 12
and rapidly retracted to the housing 12 upon its release. Although
not illustrated, a locking mechanism to stop the self-winding reel
5, as is well know in the art is also housed within cylindrical
housing 12.
[0020] For all embodiments described it this disclosure the
exterior of housing 12 is cylindrical in shape as is common for
reel or spool housings to reflect the cylindrical shape of the reel
or spool they house. However, it is important to note that the
exterior shape is not limited to cylindrical embodiments but
instead could take any number of shapes depending on the desired
aesthetic.
[0021] Looking a FIG. 3 a clip 20 with an open end 22 and a closed
end 24 is affixed to the back surface 16 of housing 12. The clip 20
lies vertically along back surface 16 such that open end 22 resides
above and parallel to lanyard 30 (See FIGS. 6-9). Clip 20 is formed
of a single piece of spring steel bent to form a first leg 26 and a
second parallel spaced leg 28. Clip 20 is affixed to back surface
16 via first leg 26. For all embodiments described herein clip 20
is affixed to back surface 16 of housing 12 mechanically or
chemically. Second leg 28 is bent at open end 22 away from the
housing 12 as to facilitate the passage of clip 20 over a static
item, such as a belt.
[0022] Along peripheral edge 18 (FIG. 1) is an orifice (not
visible) through which lanyard 30 exits housing 12 and terminates
in first attachment fixture 32 (FIG. 4). First attachment fixture
32 is coupled to a second attachment fixture 34 on dock connector
36 via coupling ring 38. Second attachment fixture 34 is affixed to
dock connector 36 mechanically or chemically. First attachment
fixture 32 and second attachment fixture 34 are mechanically
interconnected to form a swivel connection means. Although,
depicted with the above described configuration (i.e., coupled via
coupling ring 38), it is well known in the art that a plethora of
equivalent swivel connection means may be substituted. Dock
connector 36 is a 30-pin connector that is matingly engageable with
the dock port 41 of most Apple.RTM. personal multimedia
devices.
[0023] Looking at FIGS. 4 and 5 it can be seen that when the
lanyard 30 is in its wound position, only the attachment fixture 32
is visible since almost the entire length of lanyard 30 is
contained within housing 12, as it is wound around the self-winding
reel. FIGS. 6-9 show the lanyard 30 in an extended position.
Lanyard 30, is an inelastic steel wire wrapped in vinyl, which
supports the weight of the personal multimedia device 65 and is
15-35 inches in length. The self-winding reel 5 located within
housing 12 opposes the extension of lanyard 30 with such a force as
to retract lanyard 30 to its wound position even when dock
connector 36 is secured to a personal multimedia device as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0024] Dock connector 36 is generally a rectangular prism with a
front face 40 and a back face 42, a first side face 44, top face
46, and second side face 48 and bottom face 50 as is shown in FIGS.
2 and 3. First side face 44, top face 46, and second side face 48
appear as to form a continuous, rounded peripheral edge to dock
connector 36. Residing on and flush with first side face 44 is a
first engagement button 52. Residing on and flush with second side
face 48 is a second engagement button 54. Protruding from, and
generally perpendicular to top face 46 is second attachment fixture
34. Protruding from and generally perpendicular to bottom face 50,
is a 30-pin assembly 56, which is well know in the art.
[0025] The 30-pin assembly includes a first retractable retention
tab 58, and a second retractable retention tab 60. First
retractable retention tab 58 is mechanically connected to first
engagement button 52, and second retractable retention tab 60 is
mechanically connected to second engagement button 54, such that
when first engagement button 52 is depressed, first retractable
retention tab 58 retracts into 30-pin assembly 56. Likewise, when
second engagement button 54 is depressed second retractable
retention tab 60 retracts into 30-pin assembly 56. Tabs 58 and 60
have an outward force constantly applied to them such that their
resting position is with them extending perpendicularly from 30-pin
assembly 56. When both tabs 58 and 60, are retracted, the sliding
engagement of the 30-pin assembly 56 with dock port 41 is possible.
Although not illustrated, dock port 41 contains a comb which
matingly engages 30-pin assembly 56, making the connection more
rigid, as well as making the electrical connection with other
external resources possible. Once 30-pin assembly 56 is completely
inserted within dock port 41, both first and second engagement
buttons 52 and 54 can be deployed within dock port 41, mechanically
securing the personal multimedia device 65 to the lanyard assembly,
as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, by releasing the pressure on first
and second engagement buttons 52 and 54.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred embodiment of this
invention, where open end 22 of clip 20 resides generally parallel
to lanyard 30, when lanyard 30 is extended (pulled) down from
housing 12. In operation, open end 22 would be placed over a static
object, a belt for example (that is, while an individual is wearing
the belt), such that convex surface 14 faces away from the
individual wearing the belt. The 30-pin assembly 56 of dock
connector 36 is now ready to be secured to personal multimedia
device 65 by depressing first and second engagement buttons 52 and
54, completely inserting 30-pin assembly 56 into dock port 41 of
multimedia device 65 such that bottom face 50 of dock connector 36
resides flush with multimedia device 65. Once bottom face 50 of
dock connector 36 resides flush with multimedia device 65, first
and second engagement buttons 52 and 54 can be released. Personal
multimedia device 65 is now secured to an individual. Once secured,
the individual is free to move around and the multimedia device
simply hangs from the individual's belt.
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a first alternate embodiment of lanyard
assembly 10 in which open end 22 of clip 20 resides generally
perpendicular to lanyard 30, when lanyard 30 is extended (pulled)
down from housing 12. This embodiment would be well suited for
securing the lanyard assembly 10 to a belt loop, for example.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a second alternate embodiment of lanyard assembly
10 in which clip 20 is replaced with enclosed stainless steel loop
23. This embodiment is ideal for secure attachment of lanyard
assembly 10 around a belt. The non-buckle end of a belt is simply
slid through loop 23. The belt is then buckled around the wearer's
waist and the lanyard assembly is securely fastened to the wearer
via his/her belt.
* * * * *