US20040089759A1 - Retractable device holding assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Retractable device holding assemblies are provided having a retractor member including an extendible tether with an attachment device connected at the free end thereof by an interlocking attachment assembly thereof for securing an attachment to the body of a utilitarian device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 10/028,194, filed on Dec. 19, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a retractable device holding assembly and more particularly to a retractable device holding assembly which permits a utilitarian device to be attached thereto and, once attached, to be extended for use and thereafter retracted for compact storage adjacent the retractable device holding assembly which may be disposed at a site of the user's choosing.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Various apparatuses have been provided for retractably securing a relatively small, utilitarian device from free-fall, loss and/or breakage. However, an improvement in retractable device holding technology would be desirable such as would make these more economically producible, would minimize the number, kind and/or complexity of connective parts, and/or which would make such assemblies readily functional and/or adapted for use with many of various alternative devices of diverse utilitarian functions often of the hand-held type. It is toward achievement of these ends that the present invention is directed.[0003]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Provided here are a variety of embodiments of a retractable device holding assembly including a retractor portion containing an extendible tether having a connecting clip, ring or hook connected at the free end thereof which is coactive with a clip receptive portion integrally or otherwise substantially permanently connected to a utilitarian device to form an interlocking attachment assembly for securing the tether to the body of the utilitarian device.[0004]
• These and other alternative embodiments, as may hereinafter appear or as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention as can be readily discerned from the following detailed description, especially when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like numerals throughout the several views.[0005]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the drawings:[0006]
• FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing a typical lighter or other utilitarian device in phantom;[0007]
• FIG. 2 is a elevational view of a retractor member - ring means assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0008]
• FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the retractor member and interlocking attachment assembly, partially broken away, of the retractable assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;[0009]
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of an interlocking attachment assembly like that shown in FIGS.[0010]1-3;
• FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the spring-loaded retractor assembly of FIGS.[0011]1-3 showing an alternative lighter or like utilitarian device in phantom;
• FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing a typical utilitarian device in phantom;[0012]
• FIG. 7 is a side elevation of another exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing another typical utilitarian device in phantom;[0013]
• FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away side elevation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device;[0014]
• FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side elevation of a further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device;[0015]
• FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away side elevation of yet one further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device; and[0016]
• FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away side elevation of still yet one further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device.[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• With reference to the drawings, various embodiments of retractable device holding assemblies are shown and designated throughout by the[0018]general reference numeral10. Now with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, e.g., anassembly10 is shown including aretraction member12 having a thread ortether line14 extending therefrom and responsive thereto.Tether line14 has a proximal end36 (see description of FIG. 5, infra) secured to theretraction member12 and aremote end16 secured to an attachment means ordevice18. In a first embodiment, the attachment device is further attached to and/or includes a flexible, resilient rubber orplastic ring20, which is adapted to in turn be mounted in circumscribing relationship around thebody portion22 of a conventionalutilitarian device24. In one embodiment,device24 may be a conventional lighter (see FIGS. 1 and 5) ordevice24 may be of another substantially conventional form such as a cosmetic, or lip balm (see FIGS. 6 and 8-11) or a utilitarian tool (see FIG. 7).
• As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,[0019]3 and5,retraction member12 has abody portion26 which is shown as cylindrical for illustrative purposes only as it may be rectangular, triangular, oblong and the like. Referring specifically to FIG. 5,body portion26 is provided with aninternal retractor spring28 which is anchored in a slottedcylindrical portion30 integrally formed withbottom portion32 ofbody portion26 and is surrounded by aspool34. Theproximal end36 oftether14 is secured tospring28 and wound aboutspool34 for responsive co-action therewith when it is desired to extend or retracttether14 by pulling on or releasingtether14 in understood and/or understandable fashion.
• Retracting[0020]member12 further comprises alower plate38 insertable within thebottom portion32 ofbody portion26 to supportspool34 for rotation thereupon and anupper plate40 for placement uponspool34 to further facilitate the rotation thereof. The upper orlid portion42 ofretraction member12 is then secured tolower portion32 so that the extendingportion46 ofupper portion42 complements the extendingportion48 oflower portion32.Lower portion32 has agroove50 defined therein into which a complementary shapedhollow spool member51 is seated to coact therewith or provide ready ingress and egress fortether14 into and out of its spring biased-coiled relationship aroundspool34.
• On the[0021]external face44 oflower portion32 ofretraction member12 is secured aclip52 for easy removable attachment ofretractor member12 to the user's belt, pocket, purse, key ring, cigarette pack or like position or location of the user's wearing apparel or carried possession to provide an attractive, handy, secure, and relatively inexpensive device repository where such a repository is desired. One manner of securingclip52 tobottom member32 is shown in FIG. 5 and comprises a resilient latch portion which extends into the interior ofbottom32. Alternative dispositions and members for the achievement thereof are possible also, including for example, lanyard or necklace or key chain embodiments.
• Tether[0022]14 may be formed of nylon or other durable synthetic material and is provided with sufficient length to enable the user to move the utilitarian device to the desired area of action; as for example, if a cosmetic device, lip balm, cigarette lighter, or the like, toward a position adjacent the user's lips, mouth or face for application of the lip balm, cosmetic, or to light a cigarette or like tobacco product. The movement could conceivably alternatively be otherwise depending upon the utilitarian object, e.g., if a tool or writing implement to a work position or writing surface, or if a lighter, then perhaps alternatively to a birthday cake candle, or like object requiring an active flame to create the desired result, or in the case of a bartender or waitress, to assist clientele in lighting their tobacco material.
• As shown in FIGS.[0023]1-3 and enlarged in FIG. 4, attachment means18 may in some embodiments include atether anchor56 having an aperture (not shown) in the bottom thereof for receiving and securing thedistal end16 oftether14 and anintegral loop portion62 formed on the opposite end thereof. A ring adjustment means64 shown as cubical in shape and having an opening66 drilled axially therethrough is dimensioned so as to receive a portion ofring member20 therethrough so as to provide afirst loop68 and asecond loop70 on the far end thereof whenring20 is compressed and fed through opening66 of ring adjustment means64 orcinch64 and is then attached toloop portion62 oftether anchor56 by means of connectingring72. Extendingloop70 ofring20, which circumscribes thebody22 of a lighter24 or the like, is thus secured to tether14 and hence retraction means12.
• While some of the foregoing assembly embodiments have been described in terms including a lighter, many, if not all of the embodiments herein can be and are intended to be equally useful in controlling the whereabouts of similarly shaped and or sized objects such as small flashlights, screwdrivers and similar tools, marking pens, cosmetic products, lip balm, and like small and lightweight items. Although handheld sizes and shapes are typically useful herewith, other shapes and/or sizes of utilitarian objects are also foreseeably useful with device holding assemblies as described and equivalents thereof. Examples hereof are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein[0024]alternative devices24 are shown in phantom.
• As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, it is believed that such is readily apparent from the above description and accordingly no further discussion relative to the usage and operation of the assembly is deemed necessary other than to say that the selected device is used when the tether is drawn a distance from the retraction device and may then be used usually while maintaining one's grip thereupon. When the desired task is complete, the selected device is either simply released or manually guided/retumed to its retracted position while the[0025]spring28 in retractor means12 rewinds thetether14 such that the utilitarian device is returned to its at rest positionadjacent retraction device12.
• In some alternative embodiments (see e.g., FIGS.[0026]8-11), different means and/or structures may be used to effect the connection of the utilitarian device to theretractable leash assembly12. In one such case, areception member80 may be used as shown in FIGS.8-11 wherein thereception member80 is integrally attached to and as a part of the body/housing/casing22 of the device24 (e.g., formed therewith or built-in) or perhaps later secured thereto (as by bonding, gluing or detachably secured as by mechanical clipping and/or the like). The reception member orreceptacle80 may then provide a structurally defined aperture providing for receiving or reception of a ring20 (FIG. 8) or loop62 (FIG. 9) (or a ring like intermediate ring72 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) directly connected to the receptacle80), or a clip orhook structure82,84 (FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively) which can be a push-buttonhook connection member82 or asnap hook84 or a trigger or C-clip or other type of encircling connection member. These sorts of connections may also be referred to as hook and eye connections. Note, to be an encircling member, the connection device/member need not create a complete circle, rather merely provide a device for sufficient penetration and/or retention. Similarly, thereceptacle80 need not provide a fully enclosed aperture, nor a complete through-hole, nor necessarily be circular or semi-circular or any other particular shape, but for that it be cooperative with and receive the connection member from theretractable device12.
• In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted the present invention is new, useful and not obvious and that such applications, modifications and alterations as may readily occur to one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains are included within the scope of this disclosure which is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.[0027]

Claims (20)

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A retractable device holding assembly comprising:

a retraction member having a tether line secured at is proximal end to said retraction member and biased interiorly of the retraction member in a first position and extendible exteriorly of said retraction member to a second extended position;

attachment means secured to the distal end of said tether line; and

flexible, resilient polymer ring means secured to said attachment means at distal end of said tether line;

whereby a utilitarian device is operatively removably interposed within said ring means and responsive to movement therewith upon extension and retraction of said tether line relative to said retraction member.

2. A retractable device holding assembly according toclaim 1 in which said retraction member has a front surface and a rear surface and a clip member operatively secured to said rear surface to anchor said retractable member during operation thereof.

3. A retractable device holding assembly according toclaim 1 in which said ring means is adaptable to encircle the utilitarian device which may be of various shapes and sizes.

4. A retractable device holding assembly comprising:

a retraction member having a tether line secured at is proximal end to said retraction member and biased interiorly of the retraction member in a first, retracted position and retractably extendible exteriorly of said retraction member to a second, extended position;

an attachment device secured to the distal end of said tether line; said attachment device including an encircling connection structure adapted to be connected to a mating receptacle on a utilitarian device;

whereby when a utilitarian device is operatively connected to said attachment device; said utilitarian device will be extendibly and retractably responsive with said attachment device to alternate extension and retraction movement of said tether line relative to said retraction member.

5. An assembly according toclaim 4 in which said encircling connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: a ring, a loop, a clip, and a hook.

6. An assembly according toclaim 5 in which said hook is selected from the group consisting of: a push-button hook, a snap hook, a trigger hook and a C-clip.

7. An assembly according toclaim 4 in which said receptacle is selected from the group consisting of: an eye, a semicircular eye, a structurally defined aperture, and a through-hole..

8. An assembly according toclaim 4 in which said receptacle is a structure selected from the group consisting of: an integrally formed portion of the utilitarian device and a later secured portion of the utilitarian device.

9. An assembly according toclaim 4 in which said utilitarian device is selected from the group consisting of a hand-held utilitarian device, a cosmetic product, and a tool.

10. An assembly according toclaim 9 in which said cosmetic product is selected from the group consisting of lip balm and lipstick.

11. An assembly according toclaim 9 in which said tool is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, flashlight, lighter, marker, writing device, pen and pencil.

12. A retractable device holding system comprising:

a device adapted to be held, the device including a reception member; and

a retraction member having:

a tether line connected thereto;

an attachment apparatus connected to said tether line;

whereby the tether line has a proximal and a distal end; said proximal end being secured to and within said retraction member and said distal end being secured to said attachment apparatus;

whereby the attachment apparatus has an encircling attachment portion;

whereby the reception member of the device adapted to be held is adapted to receive said encircling portion therein in hook and eye relationship thereto;

whereby upon attachment of said device adapted to be held to said retraction member, said retraction member allows said device to be moved between an extended operational position and an inactive position adjacent said retraction member.

13. A system according toclaim 12 in which said encircling connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: a ring, a loop, a clip, and a hook.

14. A system according toclaim 13 in which said hook is selected from the group consisting of: a push-button hook, a snap hook, a trigger hook and a C-clip.

15. A system according toclaim 12 in which said receptacle is selected from the group consisting of: an eye, a semicircular eye, a structurally defined aperture, and a throughhole.

16. A system according toclaim 12 in which said receptacle is a structure selected from the group consisting of: an integrally formed portion of the utilitarian device and a later secured portion of the utilitarian device.

17. A system according toclaim 12 in which said utilitarian device is selected from the group consisting of a hand-held utilitarian device, a cosmetic product, and a tool.

18. A system according toclaim 17 in which said cosmetic product is selected from the group consisting of lip balm and lipstick.

19. A system according toclaim 17 in which said tool is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, flashlight, lighter, marker, writing device, pen and pencil.

20. A system according toclaim 12 in which said retraction member comprises:

a housing;

a cylindrical spool mounted for rotation within said housing;

a retractable spring means mounted in said housing in operative relationship to said spool; and

a tether line secured to said spool and reeved there around and extending therefrom for movement therewith;

whereby said spring means is compressed in response to the withdrawal of a length of said tether from said housing and automatically decompressed when the compression force is removed therefrom.

Images