Retractable Electronics Protection

Abstract

Cases are disclosed herein for mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tables, e-readers, etc., that have an integrated retention system. The integrated retention system includes a retention device and a retraction device. The retention device allows the electronic device to be secured to a user's clothes or other object by an attachment device at the end of a cord. The retraction device allows the cord to be extended from the case to a desired length and retracted into the case when not in use. The cases disclosed herein, when used to secure an electronic device to an object, can prevent loss of and damage to the electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device;   an extendable retention device configured to allow a user to tether the case body to an object; and   a retraction device configured to retract the retention device into the case body.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the retention device includes a cord. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the retention device further includes an attachment device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the attachment device includes a carabiner secured to a distal end of the cord. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the retraction device includes a ratchet and pawl mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism includes teeth disposed on a spool that carries the cord. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the retraction device further includes a coil spring that is also carried by the spool. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the coil spring and cord are disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising a release button configured to allow the user to disengage the ratchet and pawl mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the case body includes a cavity configured to receive the attachment device when the retention device is retracted. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising:
 a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device;   a cord that is extendable from and retractable into the case body; and   a retraction device configured to allow extension and retraction of the cord, the retraction device comprising:
 a rotatably mounted spool having a plurality of ratchet teeth and being configured to carry the cord; 
 a pawl mechanism that interacts with the teeth to control rotation of the spool; and 
 a coil spring, carried by the spool, that is configured to bias the spool towards a position in which the cord is retracted, 
 wherein the coil spring and cord are disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool. 
   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising an attachment device secured to a distal end of the cord. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising one or more ear buds disposed at a distal end of the cord. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the cord comprises an earphone cable. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the case body includes a cavity configured to receive the attachment device when the retention device is retracted. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the attachment device comprises a carabiner.