Abstract
An accessory to a mobile device which secures a stylus to the device or device case such that the stylus is extractable for use, and retractable for storage. They stylus being attached to the accessory by a retractable cord so that it may not be separated from the device or misplaced. The accessory further includes a stand to support the mobile device at a convenient angle to allow use with the stylus.
Claims
1. A retractable stylus retainer comprising; a housing, and a stylus attachment point, wherein the stylus attachment point is coupled to the housing by a flexible cord.
2. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1 further comprising; a stylus removably attached to the stylus attachment point.
3. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1 further comprising; a cord retracting mechanism comprising a reel and a biasing mechanism biased to create a retracting force on the cord.
4. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 3; where the cord retracting mechanism is located internally within the housing.
5. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 3, further comprising a tapered slot in the housing configured to retain the cord against the bias retracting force to maintain the cord at a desired length such that the cord is not retracted into the retracting mechanism.
6. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 3, further comprising a clutch mechanism capable of engaging the spool against the bias retracting force retracting the cord.
7. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1; where the stylus is collapsible for compact storage within the casing.
8. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1; where the housing further comprises a means for attaching a stylus to the housing when not in use.
9. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 8; where the means for attaching a stylus is a void into which the stylus can be removably secured.
10. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 3; where the cord retracting mechanism is located internally within the covering.
11. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1 further comprising: a foldable stand which support the retainer at an angle to the supporting surface.
12. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 1 further comprising: means for securing the retainer to a mobile device's housing or a mobile device's protective case.
13. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 12 wherein the means for securing the retainer comprises semi-permanent adhesive on one side of the retainer.
14. The retractable stylus retainer described in claim 12 wherein the means for securing the retainer comprises double sided foam tape on one side of the retainer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a mobile device or a device case with a retractable stylus retainer mounted thereto in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of a retractable spool in a stylus retainer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a retracting mechanism for the stylus in isolation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a retention slot through which the stylus cord passes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an alternate mechanism for retaining the stylus cord at a desired length in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows an extendable stylus which may be compactly stored within the phone case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a phone case with a retractable stylus retainer incorporating a folding stand into the retracting mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows the mechanism of FIG. 7 with the support in the deployed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a mobile device or a device case with a retractable stylus retainer mounted thereto in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The mobile device or device case (1000), shown from the back has attached thereto the retractable stylus retainer (1010). The stylus retainer has a stylus storage slot (1020) for securing the stylus (1100) when not in use.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of a retractable spool in a stylus retainer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The cut-away of the retractable stylus retainer (1010) shows the spool (1070) with the cord (1080) wound around, and extending out of the cord opening (1040) to connect to the stylus attachment point (1090) on top of the stylus (1100). The stylus (1100) can be secured in the stylus storage slot (1020) when not in use.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a retracting mechanism for the stylus in isolation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The stylus (1100) is pulled via the stylus attachment point (1090) by the cord (1080) which is wound around the spool (1070) which is biased to retract by the spring mechanism (1095).
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a retention slot through which the stylus cord passes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The cord opening (1040), previously illustrated in FIG. 2, is tapered to one side forming a retention slot (1050) into which the cord can be wedged to secure it against the biasing spring to a specific length.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows an alternate mechanism for retaining the stylus cord at a desired length in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the stylus's (1100) cord (1080) passes through the cord opening (1040), and is secured in a taper (1050) formed by a case extension (1055) which angles away from the body of the case (1010).
[0027] FIG. 6 shows an extendable stylus which may be compactly stored within the phone case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The stylus (1100) has a working end (1110) and a distal attachment end (1120). The body (1130) telescopes an extension (1140) into a cavity (1050) when not in use to reduce overall length. The body (1130) and extension (1140) have a plurality of intersection points (1170) which secure the stylus (1100) in either the extended configuration for use, or the compacted configuration for storage.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a mobile device or phone case with a retractable stylus retainer incorporating a folding stand into the retracting mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The mobile device or device case (1000), shown from the back, has attached thereto the retractable stylus retainer (1010) which includes a stand (1200) which is illustrated in the stored position.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows the mechanism of FIG. 7 with the support in the deployed position. The mobile device or device case (1000) is shown with the stand (1200) in an extended position as being folded down from the retractable stylus retainer (1010) to support the device (1000) at an angle so the stylus (1100) attached to the retention cord (1080) is available for use.
[0030] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.
