Reel-case phone case

Abstract

The present invention is a mobile device case with a retractable lanyard housed in a pocket-friendly profile. A novel feature provides for the lanyard to be releasably refracted into the housing in a one-two set-release scenario.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holder for a mobile device, comprising:
 a case having a cavity configured to receive the mobile device; and   a retractable lanyard integrated with the case having a double pull action, the double pull action allowing selectively either the withdrawal of a preferred length of lanyard or retraction of a preferred withdrawn length into the case;   whereby, with the mobile device mounted in the case and the lanyard extended, the mobile device may be securely worn about a user's neck.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a phone with a camera and the lanyard enables readily-accessible photography. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable lanyard is retracted onto a spool rotatably mounted in the cavity by means of a spiral spring. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 3 , wherein the spool comprises a ratchet mechanism which sets with a pull on the lanyard and releases with a subsequent pull. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 4 , wherein the set and release is determined by the speed at which the lanyard is released after withdrawal of a selected length, a sufficiently deliberate release setting the ratchet mechanism against automatic retraction by the spiral spring. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 4 , wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl and a ratchet gear interfacing at either an interlock position or a bypass position, the pawl biased to engage either a flat surface or a sliding surface at the perimeter of the ratchet gear. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 6 , wherein the perimetral contours of the pawl and ratchet gear are sufficiently smooth so as to allow a dynamic bypass action there between during refraction. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the lanyard is comprised of an aramid fiber rope. 
     
     
         9 . A holder for a mobile device, comprising:
 a case having a cavity configured to receive the mobile device; and   a retractable lanyard integrated with the case;   whereby, with the mobile device mounted in the case and the lanyard extended, the mobile device may be securely worn about a user's neck.   
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 9 , wherein the retractable lanyard is retracted onto a spool rotatably mounted in the cavity by means of a spring.