Camera-attachable device

Abstract

The invention includes an apparatus for attachment to a camera. One embodiment of the invention includes an attachable storage container. Another embodiment of the invention includes an attachable retractable tether, and a third embodiment includes both an attachable storage container with a retractable tether.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A camera-attachable device for attaching to a camera, said camera-attachable device, comprising: 
 a retractor assembly; and    a connector connecting said retractor assembly to the camera    
     
     
         2 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 1 , wherein said means for attaching said retractor assembly to the camera couples to a tripod socket.  
     
     
         3 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 2 , wherein said means for attaching said retractor assembly to said tripod socket comprises a screw.  
     
     
         4 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage compartment.  
     
     
         5 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 1 , wherein said retractor assembly comprises a retractable tether, and a retractor coupled to a first end of said tether.  
     
     
         6 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 5 , further comprising a securing means for securing said retractable tether to an anchor structure.  
     
     
         7 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 5 , further comprising an apparatus for controlling a rate of retraction of said retractable tether.  
     
     
         8 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate of retraction of said retractable tether comprises a lock.  
     
     
         9 . The camera-attachable device of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate of retraction of said retractable tether comprises a brake.  
     
     
         10 . A camera and retractor in combination comprising: 
 a camera,    a retractor, and a connector connecting said retractor to a camera, and    a retractable tether having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tether attached to said retractor.    
     
     
         11 . The camera retractor of  claim 10 , wherein said means for attaching said retractor to said camera couples to a tripod socket on said camera.  
     
     
         12 . The camera retractor of  claim 12 , wherein said means for attaching said retractor assembly to said tripod socket of said camera comprises a screw.  
     
     
         13 . The camera retractor of  claim 11 , further comprising a storage compartment.  
     
     
         14 . The camera retractor of  claim 11 , further comprising a coupling device for securing said retractable tether to an anchor structure.  
     
     
         15 . The camera retractor of  claim 10 , further comprising an apparatus for controlling a rate of retraction of said retractable tether.  
     
     
         16 . The camera retractor of  claim 15 , wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate of retraction of said retractable tether comprises a lock.  
     
     
         17 . The camera retractor of  claim 15 , wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate of retraction of said retractable tether comprises a brake.  
     
     
         18 . The method of using the camera retractor of  claim 15 , comprising the steps: 
 attaching said coupling device to said anchor structure;    moving said camera away from a retracted position into a use position, thereby extending said tether;    using said camera; and    allowing said retractor to retract said tether to move said camera from said use position to said retracted position.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said step of moving said camera, away from a retracted position into a use position, thereby extending said tether, further includes the step of: 
 activating a retraction control mechanism to prevent unwanted retraction of said tether.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said step of allowing said retractor to move said camera from said use position to said retracted position further includes the step of: 
 releasing said retraction control mechanism to allow retraction of said tether.