Tethered device holder

Abstract

A shell or case for holding a cell phone, with a releasable tether attached to the case, for quickly locating and retrieving the cell phone from the depths of a handbag or tote bag. A catch device is attached to an external surface of the shell, with a push-button release mechanism. The tether has a post and anchor head that snaps into the catch device. Pushing the release mechanism opens the catch. A biasing spring ejects the anchor head from the device. The tether may be attached at its other end to a handbag or tote bag strap, so that it is easily and quickly located. Pulling on the tether retrieves the shell with phone or other electronic device from the bag. Pushing the release button automatically releases and ejects the end of the tether from the shell, so that the user may used the cell phone or device freely, without any restraint on freedom of movement.

1 . A catch device for capturing a tether post, said catch device comprising:
 a catch-device housing comprising an upper housing and a backplate;   a catch release assembly comprising a slider assembly slidably mounted on said backplate and a release button assembled in an aperture on said upper housing, so as to be actuatable from outside said catch-device housing;   and a catch assembly comprising a pair of prongs that are slidably captured between said upper housing and said backplate and that form a releasable catch aperture for retaining an anchor head of a tether within said housing;   wherein said prongs in a catch position hold said anchor head caught within said catch-device housing,   wherein, when an actuating force is exerted on said release button, said button forces said slider assembly to move from a catch position to a release position;   wherein, when said slider assembly is in said release position, said prongs are forced open to allow said anchor head to escape; and   wherein an ejection spring exerts an upward force on said anchor head, so as to eject said anchor head from said catch-device housing.   
   
   
       2 . The catch device of  claim 1 , wherein said release button has a first push block, said slider assembly includes a slider body having a second push block and push edges, and said prongs have a push surface; and
 wherein, when said actuating force is exerted on said release button, said first push block pushes against said second push block on said slider body, forcing said slider body to slide in a longitudinal direction along said backplate and to move from said catch position to said release position, with said push edges of said slider body thereby pushing against said push surface of said prongs, forcing said prongs to slide in a transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction of said slider body, so as to move said prongs to said open position.   
   
   
       3 . The catch device of  claim 2 , wherein said release button has a first biasing spring that biases said button upward. 
   
   
       4 . The catch device of  claim 2 , wherein said slider assembly has a second biasing spring that biases said slider body to a catch position. 
   
   
       5 . The catch device of  claim 2 , wherein said prongs have a third biasing spring that biases each prong inward in a transverse direction relative the longitudinal direction of said slider assembly, to a catch position. 
   
   
       6 . A holster for releasably securing an object, said holster comprising:
 a shell adapted to hold an object;   a tether having a distal end with a post and an anchor head and a proximal end for attached to an external object;   a catch device for releasably holding said anchor head of said tether, said catch-device comprising a housing that includes an upper housing and a backplate;   a catch release assembly comprising a slider assembly slidably mounted on said backplate and a release button assembled in an aperture on said upper housing, so as to be actuatable from outside said catch-device housing;   and a catch assembly comprising a pair of prongs that are slidably captured between said upper housing and said backplate and that form a releasable catch aperture for retaining an anchor head of a tether within said housing;   wherein said catch device is attached to a outer surface of said shell, so as to be accessible external to said shell;   wherein said prongs in a catch position hold said anchor head caught within said catch-device housing;   wherein, when an actuating force is exerted on said release button, said button forces said slider assembly to move from a catch position to a release position;   wherein, when said slider assembly is in said release position, said prongs are forced open to allow said anchor head to escape; and   wherein an ejection spring exerts an upward force on said anchor head, so as to eject said anchor head from said catch-device housing.   
   
   
       7 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein said release button has a first push block, said slider assembly includes a slider body having a second push block and push edges, and said prongs have a push surface; and
 wherein, when said actuating force is exerted on said release button, said first push block pushes against said second push block on said slider body, forcing said slider body to slide in a longitudinal direction along said backplate and to move from said catch position to said release position, with said push edges of said slider body thereby pushing against said push surface of said prongs, forcing said prongs to slide in a transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction of said slider body, so as to move said prongs to said open position.   
   
   
       8 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein said release button has a first biasing spring that biases said button upward. 
   
   
       9 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein said slider assembly has a second biasing spring that biases said slider body to a catch position. 
   
   
       10 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein said prongs have a third biasing spring that biases each prong inward in a transverse direction relative the longitudinal direction of said slider assembly, to a catch position.