Method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device. The apparatus further includes a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume. The retractable fastener is positionable at a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object, a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.

1 . An apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device;   a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at:   a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object;   a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and   a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing to allow retention of the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing; and   at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the end region of the retractable fastener comprises a hook-shape. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is couplable to a case for a portable device. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus fits securely within a pouch in the case for a portable device. 
   
   
       8 . A method for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the method comprising:
 providing a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device; and   affixing a retractable fastener to the object, wherein the retractable fastener includes an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at:
 a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object; 
 a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and 
 a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume. 
   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 retaining the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions using protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of providing comprises:
 providing a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device, wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 fastening a first piece of the housing with a second piece of the housing using at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing and at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein step of affixing a retractable fastener to the object further comprises:
 providing a hook-shaped end region of the retractable fastener.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 affixing the apparatus to a case for a portable device.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second step of affixing comprises:
 inserting the apparatus into a pouch in the case for a portable device.   
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a case for a portable device;   a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the case;   a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at:   a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object;   a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and   a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a pouch located on the case, wherein the apparatus fits securely within the pouch.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing to allow retention of the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing; and   at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the end region of the retractable fastener comprises a hook-shape.