Tether fastened to personal digital assistant by latch having spring biased manual toggle
US6182169A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/163
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lanyard, tether or leash is secured to a PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT device (PDA) by a tether latch receiving and positively latching onto a "plug-in" or docking base of typical PDA. The body of the tether latch defines a socket with a mating curvilinear circumferential lip for snugly receiving the PDA docking base with a stationary catch nib being received in a latch notch on one side of the PDA docking base. A toggle coupled to the latch body manually translates carrying a catch nib into and out of the corresponding latch notch on the opposite side of the PDA docking base. A spring compressed between the latch housing and the toggle positively biases the latch `normally latched.` A tether, lanyard, leash strap or cord is fastened between a tether hole through a tab on the latch body and the neck, the wrist; belt or clothing of a user to prevent the PDA from striking ground when fumbled or inadvertently dropped by the user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.