U.S. patent application number 15/263795 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-15 for portable receptacle with an integrated lanyard reel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Boban Jose. Invention is credited to Boban Jose.
Application Number | 20180070705 15/263795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61558877 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180070705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jose; Boban |
March 15, 2018 |
PORTABLE RECEPTACLE WITH AN INTEGRATED LANYARD REEL
Abstract
A portable receptacle with an integrated lanyard reel includes a
portable receptacle. The receptacle includes a reel attached to the
portable receptacle. The receptacle includes a lanyard wound on the
reel, the lanyard having a distal end, the lanyard movable between
a retracted position in which the distal end is a first distance
from the reel and an extended position in which the distal end is a
second distance from the reel, the second distance greater than the
first distance.
Inventors: |
Jose; Boban; (San Ramon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jose; Boban |
San Ramon |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61558877 |
Appl. No.: |
15/263795 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4434 20130101;
B65H 75/4492 20130101; A45F 5/004 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101;
B65H 75/28 20130101; B65H 75/4486 20130101; B65H 75/40
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04; B65H 75/40 20060101 B65H075/40; B65H 75/48 20060101
B65H075/48 |
Claims
1. A portable receptacle with an integrated lanyard reel, the
receptacle comprising: a portable receptacle; a reel attached to
the portable receptacle; and a lanyard wound on the reel, the
lanyard having a distal end, the lanyard movable between a
retracted position in which the distal end is a first distance from
the reel and an extended position in which the distal end is a
second distance from the reel, the second distance greater than the
first distance.
2. The portable receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
further comprises a backpack
3. The portable receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
further comprises a pocket that contains the distal end of the
lanyard when the lanyard is wound on the reel.
4. The portable receptacle of claim 3, wherein the pocket contains
the reel.
5. The portable receptacle of claim 3, wherein the reel is outside
of the pocket, and wherein the pocket further comprises a hole
through which the lanyard extends into the pocket.
6. The portable receptacle of claim 3, wherein the pocket further
comprises a fastener that enables a user to close the pocket.
7. The portable receptacle of claim 3, wherein the fastener further
comprises a slide fastener.
8. The portable receptacle of claim 1, wherein the reel further
comprises a retraction mechanism that rotates the reel to wind the
lanyard on the reel.
9. The portable receptacle of claim 8, wherein the retraction
mechanism further comprises a biasing means.
10. The portable receptacle of claim 9, wherein the biasing means
further comprises a spring.
11. The portable receptacle of claim 8, wherein the retraction
mechanism further comprises a reverse rotation lock.
12. The portable receptacle of claim 8, wherein the retraction
mechanism further comprises a crankshaft.
13. The portable receptacle of claim 12, wherein the crankshaft is
driven by a manual crank.
14. The portable receptacle of claim 12, wherein the crankshaft is
driven by a motor.
15. The portable receptacle of claim 1, wherein the distal end of
the lanyard further comprises a fastener that attaches to a
personal item.
16. The portable receptacle of claim 15, wherein the fastener
further comprises a key-ring.
17. The portable receptacle of claim 15, wherein the fastener
further comprises a clasp.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to accessories portable receptacles.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable
receptacle with an integrated lanyard reel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Most people have a handful of possessions, like keys or
flash drives, that are both very important and small enough to be
lost easily. While such items may be carried in one's pockets, the
space there is limited, and it is still possible for items to fall
out by accident. Moreover, many people wear clothes that do not
provide pockets. Small items carried in portable receptacles such
as handbags and backpacks can become difficult to extract, as they
get tangled in the various other objects within. Likewise, a key or
other valuable small item stored in a pocket of a backpack can
easily fall out if that pocket is left open even once.
[0003] In view of the above, there is a need for a portable
receptacle that can store important small items in a readily
accessible yet secure manner.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a portable receptacle with an integrated
lanyard reel includes a portable receptacle. The receptacle
includes a reel attached to the portable receptacle. The receptacle
includes a lanyard wound on the reel, the lanyard having a distal
end, the lanyard movable between a retracted position in which the
distal end is a first distance from the reel and an extended
position in which the distal end is a second distance from the
reel, the second distance greater than the first distance.
[0005] In a related embodiment, the receptacle includes a backpack.
In another embodiment, the receptacle further includes a pocket
that contains the distal end of the lanyard when the lanyard is
wound on the reel. In an additional embodiment, the pocket contains
the reel. In a further embodiment, the reel is outside of the
pocket, and the pocket includes a hole through which the lanyard
extends into the pocket. In a further embodiment still, the pocket
includes a fastener that enables a user to close the pocket. In yet
another embodiment, the fastener further includes a slide
fastener.
[0006] In another embodiment, the reel also includes a retraction
mechanism that rotates the reel to wind the lanyard on the reel. In
an additional embodiment, the retraction mechanism includes a
biasing means. In still another embodiment, the biasing means
further includes a spring. In another embodiment still, the
retraction mechanism also includes a reverse rotation lock. In an
additional embodiment, the retraction mechanism also includes a
crankshaft. In one embodiment, the crankshaft is driven by a manual
crank. In another embodiment, the crankshaft is driven by a motor.
In a further embodiment, the distal end of the lanyard also
includes a fastener that attaches to a personal item. In another
embodiment, the fastener includes a key-ring. In yet another
embodiment, the fastener includes a clasp.
[0007] These and other features of the disclosed device will be
presented in more detail in the following detailed description of
the device and the associated figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the disclosed system and method, will be better
understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. For
the purpose of illustrating the device, presently preferred
embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the device is not limited to the precise arrangements
and instrumentalities shown.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partially cut away schematic diagram of an
embodiment of the disclosed portable receptacle;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the
disclosed portable receptacle;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a portion of an embodiment
of the disclosed portable receptacle having a pocket;
[0012] FIG. 2C is a partially cut away schematic diagram of a
portion of an embodiment of the disclosed portable receptacle
having a pocket;
[0013] FIG. 2D is a partially cut away schematic diagram of a
portion of an embodiment of the disclosed portable receptacle
having a pocket;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the interior of an
embodiment of a reel, showing a spool;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of the interior of an
embodiment of a reel, showing a spool and a spring;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a reel,
showing a reverse rotation lock;
[0017] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a reel,
showing a reverse rotation lock;
[0018] FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a reel,
showing a manual crank;
[0019] FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a reel,
showing a motor;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a partially cut away schematic diagram of an
embodiment of the disclosed portable receptacle;
[0021] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the
lanyard with clasp included at the distal end; and
[0022] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the
lanyard with a second receptacle at the distal end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Embodiments of the disclosed portable receptacle provide an
integrated retractable lanyard that may be secured to a small but
crucial item such as a keychain or a thumb drive. The lanyard may
be long enough to allow the use of the item without detachment; as
a result, the reel on which the lanyard is mounted may subsequently
retract the item to a safe position when released by the user. The
retracted lanyard may be housed in a pocket, so that the item is
stowed in that pocket when not in use.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portable receptacle
100 with an integrated lanyard reel. The portable receptacle 100
with the integrated lanyard reel includes a portable receptacle
101. The portable receptacle 100 includes a reel 102 attached to
the portable receptacle 101. The portable receptacle 100 includes a
lanyard 103 wound on the reel 102, the lanyard having a distal end
104. The lanyard 103 is movable between a retracted position in
which the distal end 104 is a first distance from the reel 102 and
an extended position in which the distal end 104 is a second
distance from the reel 102. The second distance is greater than the
first distance.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 in further detail, the portable
receptacle 100 with the integrated lanyard reel includes a portable
receptacle 101. The portable receptacle 101 may be any receptacle
that a person can carry with them for the purpose of transporting
personal possessions. As a non-limiting example, the portable
receptacle 101 may be a backpack. The portable receptacle 101 may
be a handbag or purse. The portable receptacle 101 may be a
satchel. The portable receptacle 101 may be a briefcase. The
portable receptacle 101 may be any item of hand luggage, such as a
suitcase, trunk, wheeled luggage item, carry-on bag, or the like.
The portable receptacle 101 may be a messenger bag.
[0026] In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in FIGS.
2A-D, the receptacle includes a pocket 200 that contains the distal
end 104 of the lanyard 103 when the lanyard 103 is in the retracted
position. The pocket 200 may have any form suitable for a pocket in
a portable receptacle such as a backpack; as a non-limiting
example, the pocket 200 may be a pouch constructed of similar
materials to the receptacle 101, with an opening in an exterior
surface of the receptacle 101. As a non-limiting example, the
opening may be substantially slit-like. As shown for example in
FIG. 2B, the pocket may include a fastener 201 that closes the
pocket; the fastener 201 may include a slide fastener such as a
zipper, or any other device suitable for closing the opening of a
pocket. The pocket 200 may also contain a personal item attached to
the distal end 104 of the lanyard 103 when the lanyard 103 is in
the retracted position. In some embodiments, as illustrated for
example in the partial cutaway in FIG. 1, the reel 102 is contained
in the pocket 200; as a result, when the reel 102 retracts the
lanyard 103 fully, as described in further detail below, the distal
end 104 of the lanyard 103 may be pulled into the pocket 200. In
other embodiments, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 2C-D, the
reel 102 is outside of the pocket 200. The pocket 200 may include a
hole 202 through which the lanyard 103 extends into the pocket 200.
The hole may, for instance, include a metal or plastic grommet set
in the material making up the interior of the pocket 200.
[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, the portable receptacle 100 includes a
reel 102 attached to the portable receptacle 101. The reel 102 may
include a housing 300 that contains the components of the reel 102;
the housing 300 may be constructed from any suitable material or
combination of materials, including without limitation plastic or
other polymers, metal, ceramic, or fiberglass. In some embodiments,
as illustrated for instance in FIG. 3, the reel 102 includes a
spool 301 on which the lanyard 103 is wound. The spool 301 may be
journaled on a central axle. The spool 301 may be journaled on an
interior surface of the housing 300; for instance, the housing 300
may have a substantially cylindrical internal surface having a
diameter very slightly larger than the diameter of the spool 301.
In some embodiments, the spool 301 is substantially cylindrical.
The spool 301 may have projecting lips at the top and bottom of the
spool 301; the lips may fit closely to the interior surface of the
housing 300, preventing the lanyard 103 from slipping off the spool
301. The spool 301 may be constructed from any material or
combination of materials suitable for the construction of the
housing 300.
[0028] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4A-E, the reel 102
also includes a retraction mechanism that rotates the reel 102 to
wind the lanyard on the reel 102. The retraction mechanism 400a-b
may rotate the reel 102 by rotating the spool 301 described above
in reference to FIG. 3. In some embodiments, for example as
illustrated in FIG. 4A, the retraction mechanism 400a-b includes a
biasing means 400a; the biasing means may include a spring, such as
a spiral torsion spring fitted in a coaxial cylindrical void 401
within the spool 301. The spring 400a may have a first end affixed
to the spool 301 and a second end affixed to an axial post 402 that
is affixed to the housing 300, so that the spring 400a stores
energy when the spool 301 is rotated in a first direction with
respect to the housing 300 and releases energy when the spool 301
is rotated in a second direction with respect to the housing 301.
The biasing means 400a may alternatively include a counterweight
(not shown), an elastic polymer element that stores energy in a
manner analogous to a spring or rubber band, or any other suitable
biasing means.
[0029] In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in FIGS.
4B-C, the reel 102 has a reverse rotation lock; for instance, the
reverse rotation lock may include a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet
mechanism may include a gear 403. The ratchet mechanism may include
a pawl 404. In some embodiments, the gear 403 is fixed to the
housing 301 and the pawl 404 is attached to the spool 300. The pawl
404 may have a biasing means (not shown) tending to force it onto
the gear 403. As a result, when the spool 300 is unwound, the pawl
404 may engage teeth on the gear 403, resisting the bias of the
biasing means 400a and preventing retraction, while being able to
travel over the teeth when the spool is rotated against the bias,
to engage subsequent teeth. In some embodiments, if a user pulls
the lanyard 103 suddenly forward, the biasing means 400a will cause
the spool to rotate rapidly; this may cause centrifugal force to
pull the pawl 404 away from the gear 403, as shown for instance in
FIG. 4C, so that the spool quickly retracts. The biasing means of
the pawl 404 may be chosen to be weaker than the centrifugal force
exerted by rotation at a given angular velocity, which may be
chosen as a typical angular velocity at which the spool 300 is
likely to retract.
[0030] In other embodiments, as shown for instance in FIGS. 4D-E,
the retraction mechanism 400a-b includes a crankshaft 400b. The
crankshaft 400b may be affixed to the spool 301, so that turning
the crankshaft 400b causes the spool to rotate, either winding or
unwinding the lanyard 103 on the spool 301, depending on the
direction of rotation. The crankshaft 400b may be driven by a
biasing means, such as the biasing means 400a described above. In
other embodiments, the crankshaft 400b is driven by a manual crank
405, which a user may use to wind the lanyard on the spool by
rotating the manual crank 405. In other embodiments, the crankshaft
400b is driven by a motor 406; the motor 406 may be an electric
motor, such as a servomotor.
[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, the portable receptacle 100 includes a
lanyard 103. As used herein, a lanyard 103 is a flexible member
securing a personal item to another object; the lanyard 103 may
help prevent loss of the personal item, and may help to organize
personal items that a person carries with them. The flexible member
may be elongate. The lanyard may be formed from any flexible member
suitable for the above use. For instance, the lanyard 103 may be a
length of string, which may be plaited, spun, cabled, knit, or
formed by similar means. The lanyard 103 may be a monofilament,
which may be round, polygonal, or flat in cross-section. The
lanyard 103 may be a cable of metal wire or natural or synthetic
fibers. The lanyard may be a chain, such as a chain of metal or
polymer links. The lanyard 103 is movable between a retracted
position, for instance as shown in FIG. 1, and an extended
position, for instance as shown in FIG. 5.
[0032] In some embodiments, as shown for instance in FIG. 1, the
distal end 104 of the lanyard includes a fastener 105 that attaches
to a personal item; the personal item may be keys, a thumb drive, a
pen knife, or other similar accessories. In some embodiments, the
fastener 105 includes a key ring. The key ring may be a split ring,
such as those commonly used in key-chains, or a hinged ring that
can be secured in its closed position to prevent the personal item
from sliding off of it. In other embodiments, as shown for instance
in FIG. 6A, the fastener 105 includes a clasp; the clasp may be any
device that can be fastened about a part of a personal item to
secure the personal item to the distal end 104 and can also be
unfastened to release the personal item from the distal end 104. In
other embodiments, as shown for instance in FIG. 6B, the distal end
104 is attached to a second receptacle 600. The second receptacle
600 may be a pouch, a wallet, a box, a locket, or the like.
[0033] Although the foregoing device has been described in some
detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *