Tethering system for personal electronic devices

Abstract

A tethering system according to the present invention comprises a housing having front and back surfaces and a tether internal to the housing. A spring is also internal to the housing and arranged to allow the tether to be extended from the tether housing against the force of the spring, with the spring urging the tether to retract into the housing. A mounting apparatus is included on the back surface of the tether housing and is arranged to mount the tether housing to a person. A holstering system is included on the front surface of the tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to be mounted to the tether housing with the tether attached to the personal device. The tether is extendable to allow use of the personal device by the person. The spring and tether also preventing the personal device from falling to the ground.

1 . A tethering system according to the present invention, comprising: 
 a tether housing having an internal tether that is extendable from said tether housing under a pulling force, said tether retracting into said tether housing when said pulling force is removed;    a mounting apparatus integral to said tether housing and arranged to mount said tether housing;    a holstering system integral to said tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to be mounted to said tether housing with said extendable/retractable tether attached to said personal device, said tether being extendable to allow use of said personal device while also preventing said personal device from falling to the ground when said tether housing is mounted.    
   
   
       2 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lanyard loop between said tether housing and said personal device, said lanyard loop allowing said personal device to be mounted to said housing without tension on said tether.  
   
   
       3 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lanyard attachment to prevent said tether from fully retracting into said tether housing.  
   
   
       4 . The tether system of  claim 1 , wherein said holstering system comprises an elevated slot arranged to receive a pivoting ball on said personal device.  
   
   
       5 . The tethering system of  claim 4 , wherein said elevated slot comprises a retractable locking pin to hold said pivoting ball in said slot.  
   
   
       6 . The tethering system of  claim 4 , wherein said elevated slot is U-shaped and one of the legs of said U-shape elevated slot comprising a hinge to hold said pivoting ball in said slot.  
   
   
       7 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a ratchet lock to hold said tether at a desired extended length.  
   
   
       8 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , wherein said tether extends from said housing through a top surface of said housing.  
   
   
       9 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , wherein said tether extends from said housing, through a front surface.  
   
   
       10 . The tethering system of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting apparatus comprises a mounting clip.  
   
   
       11 . A tethering system according to the present invention, comprising: 
 a tether housing having front and back surfaces;    a tether internal to said housing;    a spring internal to said housing and arranged to allow said tether to be extended from said tether housing against the force of said spring and said spring urging said tether to retract into said housing;    a mounting apparatus on the back surface of said tether housing, said mounting apparatus arranged to mount said tether housing to a person;    a holstering system on the front surface of said tether housing and arranged to allow a personal device to be mounted to said tether housing with said extendable/retractable tether attached to said personal device, said tether being extendable to allow use of said personal device by said person, said spring and tether also preventing said personal device from falling to the ground.    
   
   
       12 . The tethering system of  claim 11 , further comprising a lanyard loop between said tether housing and said personal device, said lanyard loop allowing said personal device to be mounted to said housing without tension on said tether.  
   
   
       13 . The tethering system of  claim 11 , further comprising a lanyard attachment to prevent said tether from fully retracting into said tether housing.  
   
   
       14 . The tether system of  claim 11 , wherein said holstering system comprises an elevated slot arranged to receive a pivoting ball on said personal device.  
   
   
       15 . The tethering system of  claim 14 , wherein said elevated slot comprises a retractable locking pin to hold said pivoting ball in said slot.  
   
   
       16 . The tethering system of  claim 14 , wherein said elevated slot is U-shaped and one of the legs of said U-shape elevated slot comprising a hinge to hold said pivoting ball in said slot.  
   
   
       17 . The tethering system of  claim 11 , further comprising a ratchet lock to hold said tether at a desired extended length.  
   
   
       18 . The tethering system of  claim 11 , wherein said mounting apparatus comprises a mounting clip.