Apparatus with self-retracting elastomeric support band

Abstract

Apparatus selectively attachable to the outer case of a cellular telephone or other similarly sized portable device. The apparatus desirably includes a housing containing an elastomeric band that is principally disposed inside the housing when the apparatus is not in use. The apparatus may include a kickstand and a cardholder. The elastomeric band can be used as a selectively retractable carrying strap when the cell phone or other similar device is not in use. Alternatively, the flexible continuous loop can be used, for example, to support the cell phone around a user's neck for hands-free use when the user is engaged in other activities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing with a mutually engageable cover and a body, the body being selectively attachable to a cell phone or to a protective case or cover for a cell phone or another portable device, the body having a first side;   a flexible elastomeric band disposed inside the housing, the band being accessible through an opening in the housing and being and stretchable outwardly through an opening in the housing for a distance;   an array of rotatable pulleys disposed in spaced-apart relation inside the housing, with each rotatable pulley having a periphery contacting and frictionally engaging the elastomeric band to support the elastomeric band in tension when a portion of the elastomeric band is stretched outwardly through the opening in the housing;   a plurality of first rails formed on the first side of the body to removably couple to a mounting plate on the cell phone, the protective case or cover for the cell phone or the portable device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate includes a plurality of second rails and a plurality of gaps. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more clips are coupled to the elastomeric band. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more clips are one of rotatable, detachable, and spring loaded. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein elastomeric band receives one or more clips coupled to an accessory. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is one of a wallet, external battery charger, a wireless charger, earbud holders, multi-tool kit, minors, small bag, selfie stick, belt clip car mount, camera stand, and a protective frame to seal open areas of the phone or phone case from water and dust/debris. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one a kickstand and a wallet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cover. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cover includes one or more additional accessories attached to a top side of the cover including one of a wallet, kickstand, phone mount, charger, and a lanyard. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a case;   a first mounting plate formed integral with the case and having one of inwardly and outwardly facing rails and a plurality of gaps;   wherein first mounting plate removably attaches to a one of a plurality of opposing inwardly and outwardly gaps and first rails and a plurality of second rails of a removable and connectable apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first mounting plate removably attaches to a cover having on a side with a plurality of opposing inwardly and outwardly gaps and first rails and a plurality of second rails. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the removable cover includes one or more additional accessories attached to a top side of the cover including one of a wallet, kickstand, phone mount, charger, and a lanyard. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric band is configured to enable the phone to hang one of vertically and horizontally when the elastomeric band is received in the one or more channels. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front and rear covers of the housing is selectively attached to a cell phone or to a protective case for a cell phone by use of a pad treated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that is applied to facing surfaces of the apparatus and one of the cell phone or protective case for a cell phone. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of triangularly shaped spaces that are formed between two oppositely disposed sets of pulleys inside the body. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of spacers are provided in the plurality of triangularly shaped spaces. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate is formed integral with the case. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the case is for a cellular phone or a portable device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting plate includes a locking tab at one end. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein mounting plate is formed by one of over molding the mounting plate into the case and a mold that has one of the inwardly and outwardly facing rails and the plurality of gaps and case formed together.