Communication device restraining means and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a restraining device to restrain movement of a portable communication device, the restraining device comprising a restraining mechanism which is centrifugally actuated such that a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the cord dispenser, when above a predetermined centrifugal force, actuates the restraining mechanism to thereby restrain rotation of the cord dispenser and prevent dispensing of the cord such that the portable communication device is prevented from sustaining damage when dropped. Further provided is a method of restraining movement of a portable communication device using a restraining device of the invention.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A restraining device to restrain movement of a portable communication device, the restraining device comprising:
 a stationary support configured to be connected to a user;   a cord connected to the portable communication device at a first point of the cord;   a cord dispenser rotatably supported on the stationary support, the cord dispenser operable to dispense a portion of cord, which comprises the first point of the cord, upon rotation of the cord dispenser; and   a centrifugally activated restraining mechanism comprising:
 at least one first engagement member disposed on the stationary support; and 
 at least one second engagement member attached to an actuator, the actuator being connected to the cord dispenser such that it rotates with the cord dispenser; 
   wherein the actuator is centrifugally actuated, such that when subject to a centrifugal force above a predetermined amount, the actuator is caused to move, relative the cord dispenser, such that the at least one second engagement member engages with the at least one first engagement member of the stationary support, to thereby restrain rotation of the cord dispenser and prevent further dispensing of the cord.   
     
     
         50 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the at least one first engagement member and the at least one second engagement member, when engaged, are in a first engaged position and, when disengaged, are in a second disengaged position,
 wherein the at least one first engagement member comprises one or more teeth, and the at least one second engagement member comprises one or more teeth, the one or more teeth of the at least one first engagement member being operable to interlock with the one or more teeth of the at least one second engagement member, when in the first engaged position.   
     
     
         51 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the one or more teeth of the at least one first engagement member are disposed circumferentially around the cord dispenser. 
     
     
         52 . A restraining device as claimed in  claims 49 , wherein the one or more teeth of the at least one first engagement member are arranged to extend substantially towards an axis of rotation of the cord dispenser. 
     
     
         53 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the at least one of the first and second engagement members are biased into the second disengaged position by a biasing member. 
     
     
         54 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises an actuator arm pivotally connected to the cord dispenser and is configured to rotate with the cord dispenser about an axis of rotation of the cord dispenser and to rotate relative the cord dispenser about a pivot, the actuator arm comprising at least one second engagement member. 
     
     
         55 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the actuator arm is biased into the second disengaged position by the biasing member. 
     
     
         56 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spiral spring. 
     
     
         57 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the restraining mechanism further comprises at least one abutment portion arranged to locate the actuator arm in the first or second position. 
     
     
         58 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises an actuator body configured to rotate with the cord dispenser using protrusions, the actuator body comprising at least one movable member, the at least one movable member comprising at least one second engagement member. 
     
     
         59 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the movable member is connected to the axis of rotation of the cord dispenser or a second movable member by the biasing member, the biasing member being configured to bias the at least one movable member into the second disengaged position. 
     
     
         60 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a body having a channel that it configured to retain the movable member and to enable radial displacement of the moveable actuator along the channel. 
     
     
         61 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the channel is configured to retain a ball bearing that is configured to transfer centrifugal force to the movable member actuator during rotation. 
     
     
         62 . A restraining device as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the biasing member is configured to urge the cord into a coiled position on the cord dispenser.