Retractable retaining devices and related systems, apparatus, and methods

Abstract

A retaining device assembly. The retaining device assembly may include an attachment element. The retaining device assembly may further include a housing coupled to the attachment element. The housing may include a self-winding reel. The retaining device assembly may further include a line coupled to the housing through the self-winding reel. The retaining device assembly may also include a releasable coupling coupled between the line and the attachment element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retaining device assembly comprising:
 an attachment element;   a housing coupled to the attachment element, the housing comprising a self-winding reel;   a line coupled to the housing through the self-winding reel; and   a releasable coupling coupled between the line and the attachment element.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable coupling comprises a first locking end and a second locking end. 
     
     
         3 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first locking end is secured to the attachment element. 
     
     
         4 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first locking end is secured to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second locking end is secured to the line. 
     
     
         6 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first locking end is configured to releasably lock into the second locking end. 
     
     
         7 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment element comprises a neck strap. 
     
     
         8 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment element comprises a clip configured to secure the retaining device assembly to an article of clothing. 
     
     
         9 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the self-winding reel comprises a spring. 
     
     
         10 . A lanyard device comprising:
 a housing defining an interior cavity;   a self-winding reel coupled to the housing within the interior cavity;   a line comprising a first end and a second end;
 the first end coupled to the self-winding reel within the interior cavity; 
 the second end extending out of the housing and comprising a coupling feature; and 
   a releasable clip configured to couple the second end of the line to the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The lanyard device of  claim 10 , wherein the releasable clip comprises a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         12 . The lanyard device of  claim 11 , wherein the first end of the releasable clip comprises an eyelet. 
     
     
         13 . The lanyard device of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of the releasable clip is coupled to the second end of the line through the eyelet. 
     
     
         14 . The lanyard device of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling feature comprises a strap coupled to the second end of the line passing through the eyelet. 
     
     
         15 . The lanyard device of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the releasable clip is coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The lanyard device of  claim 11 , wherein the first end of the releasable clip is configured to receive the second end of the releasable clip. 
     
     
         17 . The lanyard device of  claim 16 , wherein the second end of the releasable clip is configured to releasably latch to the first end of the releasable clip. 
     
     
         18 . A retaining device assembly comprising:
 a housing comprising a self-winding reel;   an attachment element fixed to the housing on a first side of the housing;   a line comprising a first end and a second end;
 the first end coupled to the self-winding reel; 
 the second end comprising a coupling feature extending out of the housing on a second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing; and 
   a releasable clip comprising a first end coupled to the attachment element and a second end coupled to the coupling feature configured to releasably couple the coupling feature to the attachment element.   
     
     
         19 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment element comprises a strap forming a loop coupling the attachment element to the housing and the first end of the releasable clip. 
     
     
         20 . The retaining device assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the coupling feature comprises a strap forming a loop coupling the coupling feature to the second end of the line and the second end of the releasable clip.