Retractable pedometer

Abstract

A portable device, such as a pedometer or other device having a display portion that may be separated from an attachment portion for easier viewing. When separated, the display portion remains connected to the attachment portion to facilitate ease of re-attachment and for maintaining both parts of the device in an interconnected relationship. The attachment portion is removably connectable to a wearer. The display portion is extendably and retractably connected to the attachment module. A spring biased spool is provided in the attachment module to take up and release line connecting the display module to the attachment module. The display module has a receptacle formed on the back thereof. The attachment module has a protrusion extending from a back thereof for mating engagement with the receptacle when the display module and attachment module are in a retracted position.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of viewing a display of a portable device: 
 securing an attachment module to a wearer;    grasping a display module and imparting a separating force to said display module to pull said display module away from said attachment module;    playing out a line connecting said attachment module and said display module;    viewing a display on said display module; and    taking up said played out line upon returning said display module to a position proximate said attachment module wherein a biasing force maintains said display module in abutment with said attachment module when said display module is released by said wearer.    
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising a step of substantially preventing relative lateral motion between said attachment module and said display module by engaging a protrusion on one of said attachment module and said display module with a receptacle on one of said attachment module and said display module wherein said protrusion and said receptacle engage in a mating relationship when said attachment module and said display module are in a retracted configuration.  
   
   
       14 . A portable device comprising: 
 an attachment module for removably connecting to a wearer;    a display module defining a window for displaying information, wherein said display module is extendably and retractably connected to said attachment module; and    wherein said display module and said attachment module are adapted to abut one another when said display module and said attachment module are retractably connected.    
   
   
       15 . A portable device comprising: 
 an attachment module for removably connecting to a wearer;    a display module defining a window for displaying information, wherein said display module is extendably and retractably connected to said attachment module;    wherein said display module abuts said attachment module when said display module is in a retracted position.    
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 14  wherein: 
 one of said display module and said attachment module define a protrusion;    one of said display module and said attachment module define a receptacle shaped for mating engagement with said protrusion, said protrusion and said mating receptacle for substantially preventing lateral movement between said display module and said attachment module when said display module and said attachment module are in a retracted position.