US20100018015A1

US20100018015A1 - Socket Engaging Tether for Electronic Devices

Info

Publication number: US20100018015A1
Application number: US12/568,586
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher G. Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-11
Filing date: 2009-09-28
Publication date: 2010-01-28

Abstract

A tether for electronic devices employing a plug having a first end adapted for engagement to a tether and a second end formed of non conductive compressible material having an exterior surface defining an exterior circumference adapted for frictional engagement with the interior circumference of an electrical socket. The second end can be formed of compressible material having an exterior circumference slightly larger than the socket for a biased and frictional engagement. An axial void can also be provided to accommodate electrical conductors projecting into the socket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/034,428 filed Jan. 11, 2005, and incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
The apparatus herein disclosed relates to a tethering device for electronic components. More particularly it relates to a device for securing such electronic devices to an individual by employing a non-conductive plug that mechanically engages with electronic components of the device itself. The device includes a plug having a first end for attachment to a tethering assembly or other security mechanism and a second end for attachment through compressive frictional force to a concavity within or an extension upon an electronic or other device. Such an engagement is achieved in all cases without adversely affecting any of the functional electronic characteristics of the device during use. Examples of such devices include but are not limited to cellular phones, pagers, cd players, PDA's, radios, calculators, flashlights, key chains, stun guns and the like which have electronic sockets or antennas engageable by the disclosed device herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Humans have always carried and used handheld devices to provide or enhance various capabilities to their users. From axes, knives and pistols to provide protection, to compasses, sundials and mirrors to provide guidance and communication, such handheld devices have been synonymous with mankind's technical progress over the ages.
Over time such articles have evolved to include more complex devices based upon providing similar benefits through electronic means. In the modern world, there has been a significant proliferation of such personal electronic devices such as phones, radios, pagers, PDA's, door locks, and calculators. In addition, sport, military and application specific products such as night vision devices, radar guns, heat detectors, global positioning systems, compasses and the like have shared this dramatic explosion of growth. Such devices when properly used enable individuals to perform their jobs or enjoy their pastimes more effectively and the secured possession of such a device properly utilized could even help save that person's or another's life.
A long standing problem has been the secure retention by the user of these devices during common or strenuous use and especially during dangerous or emergency activities. This is an ever-evolving problem as such electronic devices become ever-smaller in physical dimension rendering them easily misplaced or forgotten. Additionally, the replacement cost, efficacy of the device, and user and citizen safety can be adversely affected by potential loss, misappropriation or damage. Under adverse circumstances the very life and limb of the users and associates could be jeopardized by loss of an essential electronic item.
In ancient times such tools were secured to the user to prevent loss or damage by simple means such as a rope or piece of leather thong tied to both the device and the user, a method used even today in some circumstances. Today's users of electronic devices continue to share the same critical requirement for security and loss prevention or to preclude misappropriation or damage to their property. A number of methodologies have been employed to resolve this issue as noted below. Some methods employ elegant mechanical devices to effect attachment and others are logical extensions of the basic piece of rope or leather thong.
Numerous previous solutions, some noted below, generally involve a tether or lanyard assembly that is attached to both the user via a clip or hook and physically to the device. Until now, however, all solutions can only effect their attachment methodology through some purpose-built attachment point designed into the device itself. There has existed a long felt need for the capability to ensure device constraint that would be simply applied, universally available, and would not require any material modification to the device to be constrained. Such a device would be especially useful for restraint of electronic devices lacking a mount or attachment point for a restraint. The present invention fulfills this long felt need.

PRIOR ART

A typical example of a device is U.S. Publication 2003/0042348 (Salentine) which discloses such a device incorporating a retracting tether. Though useful, this device demonstrates what shall be seen to be a recurring flaw in all preceding designs. In this representative example as drawn, the device has two ends. One end is attached to a belt clipped retracting tether device and one end is attached to the item to be secured. The obvious flaw in this approach is that the item to be secured must possess a suitable “manufactured in” surface or structure to provide the device attachment point for a ring or loop to permit the attachment to the retractable lanyard assembly.
Another approach to a solution is U.S. Publication 2003/0019893 (Decoteau) which discloses a method for holding a handheld object. This approach involves a tethering device with two ends including an end to be attached to the device and an end to be attached to the wearer via a belt clipped retracting tether. The means of attachment in this example is proposed through either the application of adhesives or through mechanical devices such as screws or nuts and bolts and this is the design's obvious shortcoming. Mechanical devices would require appropriate means to effect their utilization. The flaw here is that suitable apertures to accept mechanical screws would need to be drilled by the user or provided by the manufacturer in the basic design when manufactured at increased cost. The liabilities associated with the user personally modifying an electronic device by drilling it are predictable.
The shortcomings of the second method proposed, adhesives, are that they can permanently affect the surface of the device, they tend to be sporadic in the effectivity of their adhesive qualities based on the abilities of the person applying them and, as well, those adhesive qualities are often adversely affected by even moderate temperature fluctuations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,012 (Ebashi) discloses a design of a belt clip integrated with a structure intended to receive a lanyard composed of a ball-type chain and clips. The device features a number of molded resin and metal components comprising a mechanical clamp dimensioned to be compressed onto an electronic device and retained in conjunction with it through the means of an eye and bolt type fastening molded either into or onto the electronic device itself. Though this implementation resolves both the problems noted in the examples above, it engenders another more significant negative property: it can only be used on devices which are created to accept it. As a result, generic interchangeability with other potential devices to be secured would be limited to only those devices of manufacturers adopting the technology, thus severely limiting overall functionality.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,186 B1 discloses a method of securing electronic devices, specifically cell phones, through means of a wire tether, a belt fastening clip and a receiving clip assembly encased within and transversing a channel molded into the body of the secured device. Though this method solves some of the issues noted above, it is flawed in that it too is a device specific implementation requiring that the device to be secured be designed from its inception to accommodate the necessary hardware.
As such there exists a pressing need for a tether device that will secure small and valuable electronic devices to their user to prevent damage from dropping or loss from inadvertent leaving of the device or theft. Such a device should provide an easy engagement and disengagement of the electronic component from the tether to allow the user to disengage it. Such a device should provide for attachment to the tether without the need for structural mounts on the electronic device. Such a device should be easily employable to a wide variety of electronic components thereby allowing the user to attach one device to himself and a wide variety of different electronic components.
With respect to the above, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the tether device herein in detail or in general, it is to be understood that the electronic tethering device disclosed herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed components and combinations of components for the tethering device are capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, all of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once the information herein is reviewed. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for other electronic device tethers adapted to employ electrical sockets, for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device and method. It is important, therefore, that the embodiments, objects and claims herein, be regarded as including such equivalent methodology and operational components insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a means for a user to secure electronic articles to his person through socket based compressive frictional engagement. The disclosed device herein easily engages with electronic devices using already available electronic jacks, sockets, receptacles or other orifices, concavities or extensions-like antennae that are already readily present in or on conventional electronic devices as provided by the manufacturer. The device allows for easy engagement and disengagement to a wide variety of electronic devices without modifications to the device itself or the need for any other component to encase the electronic device being secured.
The device features an elongated plug with two ends of varying shape and dimensions, the second end of which is dimensioned for cooperative engagement with a socket or antenna on the electronic apparatus to be restrained using the shape of the receptacle, concavity or extension already available.
The first end of the plug is adapted to facilitate communication between the plug and tether or lanyard assembly which may be coiled, spring-loaded or neither and which employs suitable means for engagement to items and users such as key rings, spring clips, snaps or knots or hook and loop materials.
The plug has a second end which is non-conductive and is dimensioned about the distal end circumference to provide frictional engagement within the interior wall of the elongated socket, receptacle, exterior communicating socket connector of an electronic device. The second end may also be configured in varying embodiments, all of which are non-conductive, to engage a conventional extension from the electronic device such as an antenna communicating with the exterior surface of an electronic device. Or it can also be configured to engage both the antenna and a cavity style socket in the electronic device.
In the preferred modes of the device, the elongated plug is formed from non-electrically conductive, non-radio-reflective material such as plastic to eliminate interference or dysfunctional interaction with electronic functions of the electronic component while the plug is frictionally engaged within the recessed receptacle of the electronic component or cooperatively engaged to its antenna or other extension. When engaged in a charging socket, the device being non-conductive will allow use of the electronic device while still being restrained by the tether.
In the preferred modes of the device, the plug is also preferably manufactured from a resilient compressible material such as plastic, silicon, or rubber. When inserted in the appropriate aperture or over an extension, the plug is compressed towards its center axis by the sidewall of the recess or socket and resists that compression with an outward bias to thereby provide a biased engagement against the sidewall. A significantly improved biased engagement of the second end of the plug generated by the frictional force toward the sidewalls by the compressed material, and the plastic or silicone material is achieved.
Other modes include two-ended electronically functional or non-functional metallic or composite plugs demonstrating the previously noted end configurations, required frictional attributes and secure object retentive functionality.
With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail below, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings, nor just to electronic devices. The apparatus and methods of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Consequently as noted above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is also important, to note, that the objects and claims should be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further objectives of this invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the device adapted for engagement with a socket on a conventional cell phone.

FIG. 2 is a side cut away of the device adapted for engagement with a charging port on a conventional electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of another embodiment of the device adapted for engagement with a port of an electrical device.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the device adapted for engagement with a conventional earphone port of an electronic device without engaging the cut off switch of the port and having removable second ends that can be provided in a kit.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the device adapted for engagement over a protruding antenna of a cell phone or PDA.

FIG. 6 depicts the device engaged within an electronic socket for an electronic device showing the plug having a second end formed of compressible nonconductive material in a biased contact engagement with the electrically conductive connectors within the socket without creating an electrical connection between the conductors or the plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED DEVICE

Referring now to the drawings FIGS. 1-6 which disclose the preferred embodiments of the herein disclosed device, the present invention is defined in the description which follows in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
In FIG. 1 there is depicted an engaged perspective view of the disclosed device 10. The device 10 in this embodiment and all other embodiments feature a tether 12 which may be straight, coiled or spring-loaded. A first end 13 of the plug 14 is protruding from the engagement with a cell phone or other electronic device having a port engageable with the device 10. At the second end 15 of the plug 14 is a preferably non-conductive compressive socket insert adapted for frictional engagement with one of a socket 17 or protruding antenna 19 of any portable electronic device having an engageable socket 17 in the body or protruding antenna 19 or the like such as a cell phone, PDA or portable music player. Most such devices almost always employ a ⅛ inch recessed style socket 17 or a battery charging socket 21 which communicate with the exterior of the casing 27 with an aperture 16 forming an entry to the axial cavity of the socket 17 which is housed within the casing 27 of an electronic device or component such as a cell phone, PDA, or music player. Consequently the device 10 is especially well adapted for engagement with and retainment of any of the multitude of such electronic devices available which employ charging ports or earphone ports or similar recessed axial cavity style ports communicating with the exterior of the casing 27 in which they reside.
FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the device 10 especially well adapted for insertion into either a charging socket 21 which conventionally has an axially located center post electrical conductor 29 surrounded by a sidewall 33 which conventionally functions as a second conductor 31 or an earphone or speaker style socket 17 which has a sidewall 33 and depressable contact as a conductor 29 which in some cases acts as a switch to turn off the speaker of the electronic component.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has a second end 15 that is a male version of a plug 14 designed to be in communication with the power, earphone or other socket on an electronic device with a central post type receptacle or sidewall and displays a first end 13 for engagement to a tether 12. The second end 15 of all embodiments is best made of plastic, rubber, or other non-conductive materials to isolate the device 10 from the electrical circuit of the socket 17. The provision of a bulbous spherical or boule shaped second end 14 will also provide one means to create the necessary restrictive friction within the socket by biasing against the sidewalls 33 of the axial socket when compressed therein.
As preferred in most cases the circumference of the exterior surface of the second end 15 whether it is bulbous as in FIG. 2 for cylindrical as in FIG. 3, or the cylindrical mode in FIG. 6, will be slightly larger than the circumference of the socket 17 defined by the sidewall 33, in which it is engaged. This provides for a compressive force and resulting biasing of the exterior surface of the second end 15 against the sidewall 33 defining the socket 17.
FIG. 3 depicts another preferred embodiment shown in a cut away side view of a male version of a plug 14 designed to be in communication with the power, earphone or other socket 17 on an electronic device containing a central axially located post as a conductor 29. The second end 15 of the plug 14 is shown with an axial void 23 and displays the first end 13 adapted for engagement to a tether 12. The axial void 23 present within the plug 14 will allow for the plug 14 to be inserted into power sockets which employ an axially disposed center post as a conductor 29. The ferrule shaped second end 15 may also be striated about its exterior circumference for better frictional engagement with the wall forming the socket 17. This would allow the exterior circumference to be substantially equal in size to the interior circumference of the socket 17 in which it engages and still achieve a good fictional engagement with it, or as noted above, the exterior circumference of the second end 15 could be slightly larger and in compressed engagement with the socket 17 and have the additional holding power of the striated surface.
FIGS. 2 and 3 also show the second end 15 of a plug 14 adapted to accommodate axially disposed socket 17 components showing the axially disposed void 23. It should be noted that the plug 14 could either have this void 23 in combination with any of the various exterior circumference shapes to allow the plug to fit in any earphone or power style socket 17, or the various second ends 15 could be adapted solely for power sockets or earphone or speaker sockets 17. Or, in a currently preferred mode of the device 10 which would be especially useful, the plug 14 could be provided in kit form. In the kit would be a plurality of differently dimensioned second ends 15 which are adapted for engagement to the first end 13. Each second end would have an exterior circumference area adapted for engagement with a different style of socket 17 which might be found in various electronic components to which the device 10 would be engaged. The void 23 could be included in one or more of the plurality of second ends 15. Also, the void 23 in one version of the provided second ends 15 could be dimensioned for a frictional engagement over a protruding component of the electronic device to which the device 10 is engaged such as an antenna 19. In kit form the user would assemble the plug 14 from a first end and second end and adapt it for engagement with the desired electronic device. The means of attachment for the first end to the second end could be any number of such means from a threaded engagement or snap-on frictional engagement or other conventional means of engagement of the first end to the second end.
FIG. 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of the device 10 showing a side view of a male version of a plug 14 designed to be in communication with an earphone or other socket 17 on an electronic device. It can be formed with or without the void 23 depending on the need for accommodating such a component in the socket 17. Also shown is the removable engagement of the second end 15 with the first end 13 by threaded engagement thereon or other means for cooperative engagement of the first end to the second.
As shown exploded from an earphone style socket 17 the bulbous end would allow for the second end 15 to engage in the socket 17 but allow the internal transacting switch to remain in an unengaged position thereby keeping the switch from disconnecting the speaker. This is accomplished by having the circumference of the bulbous distal end of the second end 15 being made to frictionally engage the sidewall of the socket 17 but the circumference of the rest of the second end being sufficiently small to allow for the translating switch to move to the default position allowing the speaker to work. Of course this embodiment too would be made from rubber or silicone or other compressible material that is non conductive.
FIG. 5 depicts another preferred embodiment of the device 10 which provides a version of the plug 14 adapted to facilitate frictional engagement over a protruding antenna or other stub-like extension of an electronic device. This embodiment has an axial void 23 in the second end, sized slightly smaller than the exterior circumference of the antenna 19. The first end 13 is adapted for engagement to a tether 12 as in the other embodiments. The material again would preferably be rubber, silicone, plastic, or some other non-conductive, elastic material to inhibit any electrical interference with the operation of the antenna 19. Further, such material would allow the axial void 23 to be stretched over the antenna 19 and thereby provide a biased engagement of the second end 15 with the antenna 19. As noted above, this embodiment of the second end 15 could be attachable to the first end 13 and provided in a kit form with other second ends 15 adapted for other sockets, or it could be provided as a fixed unit solely for engagement to protruding antennas 19 of electronic devices.
FIG. 6 depicts the engagement of the device 10 in a typical fashion within a socket employed for an earphone showing a sectional view. The second end 15 of the plug 14 is formed of a non conductive material and is in direct contact with a first electrical conductor 29 which typically occupies a position in the hollow portion the socket 17 to contact a conductive plug. The second end 15 is also in a frictional engagement with the second conductor 31 of the socket 17 which is conventionally formed by the sidewall 33 defining the interior of the socket 17. Conventionally this sidewall 33 will be formed of conductive metal and carry either the positive or ground portion of the electrical signal or current running through the conductors 29 and 31.
Employing a both resilient and non conductive material for the material forming at least the exterior surface of the second end 15 of the plug 14, provides numerous benefits. First it provides a means to prevent a short between the first conductor 29 and second conductor 31 as would a conventional plug. Further, the preferred non conductive material such as silicone, or closed cell foam, or other compressible material, is sufficiently compressible to collapse towards the plug 14 center axis when inserted within the smaller sidewall 33 cross section. Thereafter the compressed non conductive material will subsequently bias outwardly against the sidewall 33 to provide a means for increased frictional engagement therewith by the plug 14 imparted by the combination of outward bias and soft material contact with the sidewall 33. Finally, making the material compressible and resilient provides a means to prevent damage to any conductor 29 positioned within the void in the socket 17 by collapsing partially in a contact with the conductor 29 rather then over flexing it or pushing it to a short against another conductor.
As noted above, the device 10 as depicted in FIG. 6 is fairly typical of an engagement with a socket 17 for sound or a socket 21 for power or charging. In any such cylindrical socket 17 or 21, the use of the non conductive material and compressible material, which will impart biased contact to the sidewall 33 significantly improves the engagement of the second end 15 of the plug 14 in the socket. This improved engagement helps maintaining the device 10 in a socket and does so without shorting out the electrical contacts therein. This engagement can be additionally improved using the configuration of FIG. 3 for the plug 14 wherein gaps 41 are formed between ridges 43 in the exterior surface forming the second end 15 of the plug 14. The ridges 43 would have a diameter larger than that of the socket 17 or 21, interior. During insertion, the ridges will deform slightly into the gaps 41 and create a very strong temporary engagement of the plug 14 in the socket since parts of the gaps 41 remain unfilled adjacent to deformed portions of the ridges 43 and create a stronger attachment much like a tire tread engages the road better.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While the invention as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein discloses arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention, it is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed in accordance with the spirit of this invention. Any and all such changes, alternations and modifications, as would occur to those skilled in the art, are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.
Further, the purpose of the attached abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which is measured by the claims nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A tether for electronic devices housed within a casing, comprising:

a plug having a first end and a second end;

said first end adapted for engagement to a tether;

said second end having an exterior surface having exterior surface defining an exterior circumference, said exterior circumference sized for a frictional engagement with a sidewall, said sidewall defining an interior circumference of an axial cavity of an electrical socket depending into said casing;

said cavity communicating at an entry aperture, with the exterior of said casing of said electronic device; and

said exterior surface being formed of non-conductive material;

said exterior surface providing a means for frictional engagement with said sidewall of said electrical socket; and

said exterior surface providing means for concurrent contact with both said sidewall and any electrical conductors located in said electrical socket, without forming an electrical connection therebetween, whereby said plug is engageable to a frictional engagement within said electrical socket to temporarily engage said tether to said electronic device.

2. The tether for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

said exterior surface of said second end formed of compressible material, said compressible material imparting a biasing force opposite a direction of compression when said compressible material is compressed;

said exterior circumference being slightly larger than said interior circumference; and

said biasing force providing means to enhance said frictional engagement with said sidewall.

3. The tether for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

an axial void communicating with a tip of said second end; and

said axial void adapted to engage over an axial protrusion defining an electrical conductor within in said electrical socket.

4. The tether for electronic devices of claim 2 further comprising:

an axial void communicating with a tip of said second end; and

5. The tether for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

a bulbous portion of said exterior surface of said second end located at a distal end of said second end opposite said first end;

a recess located between said first end and said bulbous portion; and

said recess dimensioned to accommodate a translating member forming said electrical conductor in said electrical socket provide a means for said translating member to locate to a position adjacent to the center axis of said electrical socket.

6. The tether for electronic devices of claim 2 further comprising:

a recess located between said first end and said bulbous portion; and

7. The tether for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

said exterior surface of said second end having circumferential gaps between ridges formed by said gaps;

said gaps providing an area for portions of said ridges to deflect therein; and

said gaps and said ridges communicating against said sidewall providing means to increase said frictional engagement with said sidewall.

8. The tether for electronic devices of claim 2 further comprising:

said gaps providing an area for portions of said ridges to deflect therein; and

9. The tether for electronic devices of claim 3 further comprising:

said gaps providing an area for portions of said ridges to deflect therein; and

10. The tether for electronic devices of claim 4 further comprising:

said gaps providing an area for portions of said ridges to deflect therein; and

11. The tether for electronic devices of claim 5 further comprising:

said gaps providing an area for portions of said ridges to deflect therein; and

12. The tether for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

said first end removably engageable to said second end;

a plurality of individual second ends provided in a kit; and

each of said individual second ends adapted for frictional engagement within a different electrical socket.

13. The tether for electronic devices of claim 2 further comprising:

said first end removably engageable to said second end;

a plurality of individual second ends provided in a kit; and

14. The tether for electronic devices of claim 3 further comprising:

said first end removably engageable to said second end;

a plurality of individual second ends provided in a kit; and

15. The tether for electronic devices of claim 4 further comprising:

said first end removably engageable to said second end;

a plurality of individual second ends provided in a kit; and

16. The tether for electronic devices of claim 5 further comprising:

said first end removably engageable to said second end;

a plurality of individual second ends provided in a kit; and