Retractable Lanyard for Securing Personal Multimedia Devices
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.
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.
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.
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.
Especially popular are Apple's® personal multimedia devices, such as the Iphone™ and the Ipod®. 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.
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 INVENTIONIn 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.
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.
Referring to
The internal chamber of the cylindrical housing 12 is illustrated in
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.
Looking a
Along peripheral edge 18 (
Looking at
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
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
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 22, 2011
Inventor: Roddy J. Jasa (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 12/727,367
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101);