US 11,896,100 B2
Apparatus with self-retracting elastomeric support band
Mark Small, Fort Smith, OK (US); Steven E. Shaw, Prosper, TX (US); and Eric Montalvo, Washington, DC (US)
Assigned to SLINGER, LLC, Prosper, TX (US)
Filed by SLINGER, LLC, Preston, TX (US)
Filed on May 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/826,047.
Application 17/826,047 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/116,156, filed on Dec. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,388,979.
Prior Publication US 2022/0312920 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A45F 5/00 (2006.01); A45C 11/18 (2006.01); A45C 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC A45C 11/182 (2013.01) [A45F 5/004 (2013.01); A45C 2011/002 (2013.01); A45C 2200/15 (2013.01); A45F 2005/006 (2013.01); A45F 2200/0516 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a housing with a mutually engageable cover and a body, the body being selectively attachable to a cell phone or to a protective case or cover for a cell phone or another portable device;
a flexible elastomeric band disposed inside the housing, the band being accessible through an opening in the housing and being stretchable outwardly through an opening in the housing for a distance;
an array of rotatable pulleys disposed in spaced-apart relation inside the housing, with each rotatable pulley having a periphery contacting and frictionally engaging the elastomeric band to support the elastomeric band in tension when a portion of the elastomeric band is stretched outwardly through the opening in the housing;
a plurality of triangularly shaped spaces that are formed between two oppositely disposed sets of pulleys inside the body;
a kickstand formed from at least a portion of the cover; and
a card holder integrated on an inside portion of the kickstand.