Method and Apparatus for Securing Personal Electronic Device

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for securing personal electronic devices to the human body. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a suction cup member to securely and removably attach the apparatus to the personal electronic device, a ring member threadably inserted through a pilot hole in the non-cup end of the suction cup, and a lanyard or tether threadably inserted through the key ring.

1 . An apparatus for securing personal electronic devices to the human body comprising a suction cup member and tether member, wherein
 the suction cup member contains at least a cup end and a non-cup end,
 said cup end capable of creating a partial vacuum when pressed against a smooth, rigid surface, and 
 said non-cup end is capable of securely accepting the tether member; and 
   the tether member is flexibly and securely affixed to the non-cup end of the suction cup member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein,
 the tether is adapted to be comfortably and securely attached to the human body. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein,
 the non-cup end of the suction cup member contains a pilot hole adapted to accept at least one human digit. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein,
 the non-cup end of the suction cup member contains a pilot hole between 1 and 10 centimeters in diameter, said pilot hole being adapted to comfortably accept at least one human digit. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a ring member, and wherein;
 the non-cup end of the suction cup member contains a pilot hole adapted to accept the ring member; and 
 the ring member is threadably inserted through the pilot hole, securely and pivotably joining the ring member to the suction cup member; and 
 the tether member is securely fastened to the ring member. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the pilot hole is between 2 mm and 20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the diameter of the cup end of the suction cup member, measured at the largest cross section, is between 20 and 500 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein, when pressed against the smooth, rigid surface of a personal electronic device, the suction cup member creates a partial vacuum with sufficient adhesive characteristics to create, between the surface and the apparatus, a bond that will not be broken by forces applied to the electronic device during normal use. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the tether member is a flexible lanyard between 25 and 200 cm long. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the tether member is a lanyard is between 5 and 25 cm long and capable of being worn around the wrist. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the tether member includes a snap-tab closure mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for tethering a personal electronic devices to the human body comprising,
 a suction means for creating a partial vacuum between the apparatus and the personal electronic device; and   a tethering means for attaching the apparatus to the human body.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tethering means is a hole in the suction means capable of comfortably accepting at least one human digit without compromising the adhesive power of the suction means. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a ring, and
 wherein the suction means contains a pilot hole capable of accepting the ring;   the ring is threadably attached to the suction means through the pilot hole; and   the tethering means is secured to the ring.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein, the tethering means is a lanyard between 25 and 200 cm long. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein, the tethering means is a lanyard is between 5 and 25 cm long and capable of being worn around the wrist. 
     
     
         17 . A method of building an apparatus for tethering personal electronic devices to the human body comprising,
 providing a suction cup with a cup end and a non-cup end;   wherein the non-cup end contains a pilot hole;   threading a ring through the side pilot hole; and   attaching a lanyard to the ring.