Restraining means

A restraining device restrains movement of a portable communication device, such as a mobile phone, if it is accidentally dropped. The device comprises a centrifugally actuated restraining mechanism 500 (700, fig.6), (810, fig. 7), (920, fig.8) and (1000, fig. 9). As the reeling out of the cord (300, fig.1) causes the cord dispenser (400, fig.1) to reach a predetermined angular velocity, the engagement member (or arm 520 in figure 5) is cause to move under centrifugal force to a position where it engages with second engagement members in the form of teeth 530, which are preferably arranged on the stationary support (200, fig. 1). The cord (300, fig.1) is arranged to be attached to the mobile phone at one end, or alternatively to be attached to a user, with the stationary support incorporated into the mobile phone.