Thank you for your purchase of the iPhoneChain for the Apple iPod and iPhone. For maximum satisfaction, we feel that it is important for you to understand the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector, its purpose, and its safety features. It would be easy to look at the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector as a light-duty novelty item, rather than an elegant and safe product. We assure you that, although lightweight construction materials are involved, the internal mechanisms are specifically designed to maximize the function and safety of the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector.

First, we have learned that improper insertion habits can lead to risk of premature failure of the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector. The buttons on the side are to RELEASE the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector from the device ONLY. During insertion, the buttons should be left free to snap into place. Pressing the buttons during insertion can allow a less than secure "partial" attachment to the connector which can change the geometry of the attachment locks over time, resulting in ultimate failure of the device. We recommend that the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector be smoothly pressed in and that the user listens for two audible CLICKS indicating a secure lock. After insertion, a quick pull on the chain can verify that the Proprietary Connector is securely locked into the device. Should a new Proprietary Connector NOT give two secure clicks, DO NOT USE IT and file a warranty claim.

Second, the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector is designed to safely support an iPod or iPhone without risking damage to the docking connector. Significant testing has been done to determine reasonable load limits for the docking connector in all directions force to the device. From that testing, we have engineered the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector to intentionally fail under several different circumstances as a protective safeguard to the iPod or iPhone to which it is connected.

The most important direction of force is the "pulling force" of a device hanging vertically from the chain. This is the direction of force that the iPhone and iPod are most sturdy and tolerant of strong pulls. We have engineered the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector to safely and reliably and repeatedly withstand over 40 pounds of dynamic (moving, swinging, etc) force before approaching the safety limit. If and when the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector reaches that limit, the connector will fail in a manner that does not harm the docking connector.

There is, however, a lower tolerance to side forces and bending forces with the iPhone/iPod docking connector due to the way it is integrated into the devices. For that reason, the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector is engineered to fail at a reasonable load somewhat below the limit of the device’s docking connector. In hanging usage, those limits are irrelevant due to the majority of the of force being in a straight pull, but when the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector is used to drag a device out of a pant pocket that is "too tight" with the chain pulled at a sharp angle to the unit, the bending force can be exceeded and the iPhoneChain’s Proprietary Connector can fail.

We hope the iPhoneChain provides you with many years of added security for your Apple device.