Retractor and anti-swing magnet system

Abstract

A retractor system for personal articles is disclosed that only allows for easy access to the personal article, but also provides for anti-swing mechanisms that prevent swinging of the personal article when it is not in use. One such retractor system comprises a garment with a retractor mounted to the garment. The retractor comprising a housing with an internal spring and a line capable of extending from the housing, with the spring urging retraction of the line back in the housing. The line passing through an opening in the housing and comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching to a personal article. A stop is also included on the line, wherein the stop prevents a portion of the line from retracting into the housing, with the personal article hanging from the retractor when not in use. A holding feature, such as a magnet, is included to hold the personal article against the garment when not in use, with the holding feature preventing swinging of the personal article.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A retractor system, comprising:
 a garment;   a retractor mounted to said garment, said retractor comprising a housing with an internal spring, and a line capable of extending from said housing, said spring urging retraction of said line back in said housing, said line passing through an opening in said housing and comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching to a personal article;   a stop on said line, wherein said stop prevents a portion of said line from retracting into said housing, with said personal article hanging from said retractor when not in use; and   a holding feature to hold said personal article against said garment when not in use, said holding feature preventing swinging of said personal article.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said holding feature comprises magnetic attraction between said personal article and said garment. 
     
     
         3 . The systems of  claim 1 , wherein said holding feature comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said magnet is on said personal article or said garment. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said holding feature comprises a first magnet on said personal article and second magnet on said garment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said holding feature comprises a device from the group including hook, snap or Velcro®. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said retractor is mounted integral to a holster/pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , also comprising a retractor mounting mechanism to mount said retractor to said garment. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said line is connected to said personal article by a lanyard. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said line is connected to said personal article by a disconnect mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The retractor of  claim 10 , wherein said disconnect mechanism prevents said line from being fully retracted into said housing. 
     
     
         12 . A garment with a retractor system, comprising:
 a retractor mounted integral to said garment, said retractor comprising a housing with an internal retraction mechanism and a line capable of extending from said housing, said retraction mechanism urging retraction of said line back in said housing;   an attachment mechanism for attaching said line to a hand operable device so that retractor urges retraction of said hand operable device to said retractor when said hand operable device is not in use; and   a magnet device to hold said hand operable device to said garment when said hand operable device is retracted to said retractor.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said magnet device provides a magnetic attraction between said hand operable device and said garment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said magnet device comprises a first magnet on said personal article or said garment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said magnet device comprises a first magnet on said personal article and second magnet on said garment. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said retractor is mounted integral to a holster/pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , also comprising a retractor mounting mechanism to mount said retractor to said garment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said line is connected to said personal article by a lanyard. 
     
     
         19 . The retractor of  claim 12 , wherein said attachment mechanism prevents said line from being fully retracted into said housing. 
     
     
         20 . A holster retractor system, comprising:
 a holster/pouch sized to hold a hand operable device and comprising a mounting mechanism to mount to a user;   a retractor mounted integral to said holster/pouch and in a position operate with said holster/pouch, said retractor comprising a housing with an internal retraction mechanism, and a line capable of extending from said housing into said holster/pouch, said retraction mechanism urging retraction of said line back in said housing, said line comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching to hand operable device;   a magnet device to hold said hand operable device to said holster/pouch when said line is retracted into said housing.