Device tethering system and method

Abstract

A device tethering system is provided for securing a device to a source location as may be assisted by a tether. The device tethering system may include a retraction component, tether, pouch, belt, device mounting component, device aspect of the device mounting component, and/or tether aspect of the device mounting component. A method for securing a device to a source location using the device tethering system is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device tethering system comprising:
 a retraction component;   a tether extending outwardly from a retraction component front surface of the retraction component;   a device mounting component attached to a distal end of the tether;   a mounting feature to hold the retraction component comprising a mounting feature aperture;   a belt operatively installed to the mounting feature; and   wherein the retraction component further comprises an interior space containing a spindle onto which the tether is at least partially and reversibly wound.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction component is substantially held within the mounting feature. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction component further comprises:
 a retraction component aperture located on the front retraction component surface to substantially align with the mounting feature aperture; and   wherein the tether is reversibly extended through the retraction component aperture and the mounting feature aperture.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tether is reversibly extended through an aperture perimeter of the retraction component aperture to direct the tether outwardly with respect to the retraction component front surface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the aperture perimeter further comprises:
 a retraction component aperture perimeter substantially surrounding the retraction component aperture; and   a mounting feature aperture perimeter substantially surrounding the mounting feature aperture included by the mounting feature.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the aperture perimeter is constructed using a material to advantageously reduce wearing and fraying of the tether as the tether is reversibly extended through the retraction component aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the retraction component aperture is located at an approximately front-middle position of the retraction component front surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle comprises a rewinding feature. 
     
     
         9 . A device tethering system comprising:
 a retraction component comprising:
 an interior space comprising a spindle, 
 a front retraction component surface, and 
 a retraction component aperture located on the front retraction component surface; 
   a tether reversibly wound on the spindle to be selectively extended outwardly from the retraction component through the front retraction component surface; and   a device mounting component comprising:
 a device aspect for attachment to a device, 
 a tether aspect installed to a tether distal end of the tether, and 
 wherein the device aspect is reversibly received by the tether aspect to selectively join the device to the tether. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the tether is constructed using braiding, plaiting, and/or weaving to increase durability and strength. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the device aspect is operatively installed to a case designed to receive and substantially secure the device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the device aspect and the tether aspect are reversibly interlocking. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the device mounting component comprises a release feature for facilitating disconnection of the device aspect from the tether aspect. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the release feature comprises a quick-release. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a mounting feature to hold the retraction component and at least one item;   a belt installed to the mounting feature; and   wherein the retraction component is removable from the mounting feature.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting feature selectively encloses the retraction component. 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing a device tethering system comprising:
 (a) providing a tether extending outwardly from a retraction component to reversibly pass through a retraction component aperture located on a retraction component front surface of the retraction component;   (b) attaching a device mounting component comprising a device aspect and a tether aspect to a distal end of the tether;   (c) removably receiving a device via the device aspect operatively installed to the device;   (d) installing the tether aspect to the tether distal end of the tether; and   (e) removably joining the device aspect to the tether aspect to secure the device to the retraction component via the tether.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 (f) removably housing the retraction component within a mounting feature comprising a mounting feature aperture; and   wherein the mounting feature aperture substantially aligns with the retraction component aperture through which the tether is reversibly passed.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 :
 wherein the retraction component further comprises a spindle onto which the tether is at least partially and reversibly wound; and   wherein the tether contacts an aperture perimeter of the retraction component aperture to direct the tether outwardly with respect to the retraction component front surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the device mounting component further comprises a quick-release to disconnect the device from the tether.