Patent Grant
10716389
The present invention relates generally to tools and accessories. Particularly, the present invention relates to lanyards and lanyard connectors.
Hand tools are widely used in construction, maintenance, and industrial facilities operations. Some tasks require work to be performed at elevated heights; for such tasks, dropping a tool can result in injury to individuals, equipment, objects, and the tool itself. Tools may be secured to relatively stationary objects such as structures, people, or articles of clothing to prevent the unintentional falling of a tool. Previous methods for securing tools include holding tools in a receptacle while not in use, tethering tools to the user, and attaching tools to a nearby structure via a lanyard.
One approach of dropped tool prevention is disclosed in US Published Application No. 2017/0290410-A1 to Evans. The Evans publication discloses a clip for securing articles to a belt. The Evans clip has a semi-flexible central tear-drop shaped bend opposite spaced apart ends. The spaced apart ends are connected to a first leg and a second leg which extend in a generally parallel relationship. The Evans clip further includes a locking collar member which connects to the spaced apart ends.
Another approach of dropped tool prevention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,360,276 to Meek for a reversible holster holder. The holster holder can be reversibly configured to mount a belt-attaching holster to a vertical surface in either a left-handed or right-handed arrangement. This belt-attaching holster potentially includes a belt loop and/or a belt clip.
Another approach of dropped tool prevention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,374 to Bianchi for a holster clip. The holster clip has a recess on one leg such that a portion of the wearer's belt is deflected into the recess by the opposite clip leg. This mechanism anchors the clip, its associated holster, and the tool within the holster to the belt to protect against inadvertent dislodgement.
Holsters can be used to store and carry a variety of tools. Different types of holsters store different types of tools and are often molded to the type of tool they are intended to store and carry. For example, a holster may store and carry a hammer, a screwdriver, a power screwdriver, or a firearm, and each of these holsters may be molded into a different shape to better fit the particular tool it holds. Holsters are often attached to relatively stationary objects. Relatively stationary objects may include structures, people, and articles of clothing.
Some tool holsters are attached to tool belts. Attaching a tool holster to a tool belt allows a user to store and carry specific tools which may not otherwise be accommodated by the tool belt. The tool belt may be supported on a user. Typically, the tool in the holster is untethered. However, when working at heights, a worker may attach a tool tether to the tool in the holster and then connect the other end of the tool tether to the worker's belt or to an anchoring point on the separate tool belt.
Tool belts typically have multiple tools attached including, for example, retractable tool tethers. However, the real estate on tool belts is at a premium. As such, a major disadvantage to tethering directly to a tool belt is the use of this premium real estate as this space may otherwise be used for other tools, reducing the need for additional trips away from the work site to trade out tools. One way to solve this problem is to use additional locations for attaching a tether. One such additional location is a tool holster. Using a tool holster for an anchoring point has multiple advantages such as leaving additional space available on the tool belt for other tool holsters.
Previous methods can be improved upon by further providing an affixable and removable clip fixedly attached to a holster, which affixable and removable clip may act as an anchoring point for a tool lanyard.
It is an object of the present invention to provide lanyard connection point for hand tool lanyards.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lanyard connection point for hand tools that does not occupy limited available positions on a tool belt.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a space efficient mechanism for attaching tools to a tool belt.
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing an affixable and removable clip to secure a tool lanyard between a hand tool and a tool holster. In one embodiment of the present invention, the affixable and removable clip has a base portion, an anchor portion parallel and opposite the base portion and spaced from the base portion, and a connector portion that connects one end of the base portion to a corresponding end of the anchor portion. The base portion has a first base portion, a second base portion, and a third base portion. The second base portion connects the first base portion to the third base portion. The base portion has a first base aperture through the third base portion, a base terminal end adjacent the third base portion and a base connected end adjacent the first base portion such that the base terminal end is opposite the base connected end. The connector portion is attached to the first base portion at the base connected end. The anchor portion has a first anchor portion, a second anchor portion, and a third anchor portion. The second anchor portion connects the first anchor portion to the third anchor portion. The anchor portion has an anchor terminal end adjacent to the third anchor portion and an anchor connected end adjacent to the first anchor portion. The anchor terminal end is opposite the anchor connected end, and the anchor connected end is connected to the connector portion. The clip further includes a fastener having at least a rod attached to the third anchor portion adjacent the anchor terminal end and a rod attaching component where the at least a rod extends transversely from the anchor portion toward and through the first base aperture of the base portion and the rod attaching component removably attaches to the at least a rod.
In another embodiment, the clip base portion and the clip anchor portion are made of a rigid material and the at least a rod of the fastener is countersunk to the anchor portion.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the at least a rod is a threaded rod and the fastener further includes a nut removably attached to the threaded rod, and a washer on the threaded rod between the nut and the base portion.
In another embodiment, the base portion has a base length, a base width, and a base thickness. Moreover, the anchor portion has an anchor length, an anchor width, and an anchor thickness, and the anchor portion faces the base portion and is substantially parallel to and spaced from the base portion.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the base length to the base width defines a base ratio in the range of approximately 1.5:1 to approximately 3:1.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor length to the anchor width defines an anchor ratio in the range of approximately 1.5:1 and approximately 3:1.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the base portion has one or more base apertures, the anchor portion has one or more anchor apertures, and at least one of the one or more anchor apertures is aligned with and concentric to at least one of the one or more base apertures.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the base portion forms an approximately hexagonal shape with approximate corners, and at least one of the one or more base apertures are near at least one of the one or more approximate corners.
In one embodiment, the anchor portion forms an approximately quadrilateral shape.
In still a further embodiment of the present invention, the connector portion is a bend portion connecting the base portion to the anchor portion.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus has a base portion with a first base portion, a second base portion, and a third base portion with a first base aperture such that the second base portion connects the first base portion to the third base portion. The apparatus includes an anchor portion with a first anchor portion, a second anchor portion, and a third anchor portion such that the second anchor portion connects the first anchor portion to the third anchor portion. The anchor portion faces the base portion and is parallel and opposed to but spaced from the base portion. The apparatus also includes a connector portion which connects the first base portion to the first anchor portion. Further, the apparatus includes an intervening structure disposed at least partially between the base portion and the anchor portion. Moreover, the apparatus also includes a fastener removably attaching the third base portion and the third anchor portion to the intervening structure.
In another embodiment, the intervening structure is either a belt, a tool belt, a tool holder, a holster, a tool holster, or a tool belt attachment.
In one embodiment, the affixable and removable clip is a unitary clip body with an approximate 180° bend in the clip body forming a base portion and an anchor portion with the bend forming the connector portion where the base portion and the anchor portion are parallel to and spaced from each other. The base portion has a base terminal end opposite the bend and a base connected end adjacent the bend. The anchor portion has an anchor terminal end opposite the bend and an anchor connected end adjacent to the bend. The clip further includes a fastener having at least a rod attached adjacent to the anchor terminal end and a rod attaching component where the at least a rod extends transversely from the anchor portion toward and through a first base aperture adjacent to the base terminal end of the base portion and the rod attaching component removably attaches to the at least a rod.
One embodiment of the present invention is a combination of a tool holster and a clip. This embodiment includes a tool holster having at least one sidewall which is formed into a pouch having a pouch wall. It also includes a clip attached to the tool holster. The clip includes a base portion having a first base aperture through the base portion and disposed adjacent a base terminal end, an anchor portion having a fastener with at least a rod extending transversely from the anchor portion adjacent to an anchor terminal end and a rod attaching component where the at least a rod extends through the first base aperture of the base portion, and a connector portion. The connector portion connects the base portion at a base connected end to the anchor portion at an anchor connected end where the base portion and the anchor portion are facing each other in an opposed parallel orientation and spaced from each. A portion of the pouch wall is disposed between the base portion and the anchor portion with the at least a rod penetrating through the pouch wall and through the first base aperture of the base portion to thereby secure the clip to the pouch wall of the tool holster.
In another embodiment, the at least a rod of the fastener is a threaded rod and wherein the fastener further includes a nut threadably disposed on the threaded rod to thereby secure the clip to the pouch wall.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the base portion is outside of the pouch and further includes a D-ring secured to the base portion.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the base portion is outside of the pouch and further includes a retractable lanyard secured to the base portion.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the base portion is outside of the pouch and further includes a quick-release structure for connecting a hands-free-lanyard assembly between a user and the tool holster.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in
Turning now to
In this embodiment, second base portion 14 includes a second base aperture 52 positioned near first base portion 12. The size, shape, and location of second base aperture 52 may vary to accommodate various tools, tasks, needs, and situations. One or more base apertures 53 are optionally included as additional fixing locations. In this embodiment, a third base aperture 53a shown adjacent to and proximate to a corner 93. In the present embodiment, the base portion 10 is shown as having an approximately hexagonal shape with a plurality of corners 90, 93, 95, 97, and 99.
Anchor portion 30 includes a first anchor portion 32, a second anchor portion 34, and a third anchor portion 36 that coincides with first base portion 12, second base portion 14, and third base portion 16 of base portion 10. First anchor portion 32 includes an anchor connected end 31. Third anchor portion 36 includes an anchor terminal end 33.
In the present embodiment, anchor portion 30 has a first anchor aperture 60 and a second anchor aperture 62. This embodiment shows first anchor aperture 60 positioned in third anchor portion 36. Second anchor aperture 62 is shown in second anchor portion 34, and second anchor aperture 62 is shown aligned and co-axial with second base aperture 52. It is contemplated that first anchor aperture 60 into which is pressed threaded rod 42 is not necessary if threaded rod 42 is attached in position to anchor portion 30 such as, for example, by welding or other bonding techniques including, but not limited to, adhesives and the like.
In this embodiment, each of the plurality of anchor apertures 60 and 62 are circular. As with all of the apertures, the shape, size, and location may vary to accommodate various tools, tasks, needs, and situations. If a first anchor aperture 60 is included, then the diameter is typically between 0.0625 inch and 0.25 inch with a typical diameter of about 0.125 inch. The diameter of the second anchor aperture 62 is typically between 0.0625 inch and 0.75 inch with a typical diameter of about 0.375 inch. As with the plurality of apertures in base portion 30, the apertures in anchor portion 30 also extend through the entirety of anchor portion 30.
In the present embodiment, anchor portion 30 is shown as having an approximately quadrilateral shape. In particular, the present embodiment shows anchor 30 as having a generally rectangular shape.
The length and width of base portion 10 has a base length 72 and a base width 74 while anchor portion 30 has an anchor length 82 and an anchor width 84. Base length 72 can be compared to base width 74 to achieve a base ratio. A preferred base ratio is between approximately 1.5 and approximately 3.0 such that base length 72 is slightly longer than base width 74 up to approximately three times longer than base width 74.
In one embodiment of the present invention, base length 72 is between 2 inches and 5 inches long with a typical length being approximately 3.75 inches. In one embodiment of the present invention, base width 74 is between 1 inch and 3 inches long with a typical length being approximately 2 inches plus or minus 0.03125 inch.
The anchor length 82 can be compared to anchor width 84 to achieve an anchor ratio. A preferred anchor ratio is between approximately 2.0 and approximately 6.0 such that anchor length 82 is between approximately two times anchor width 84 and approximately six times anchor width 84.
In one embodiment of the present invention, anchor length 82 is between 2 inches and 5 inches with a typical length of approximately 3.75 inches. In one embodiment of the present invention, anchor width 84 is between 0.5 inch and 2 inches with a typical acceptable width of approximately 0.75 inch.
Base length 72 can be compared to anchor length 82 to achieve a base-anchor length ratio. A preferred base-anchor length ratio is between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2.0 such that the base length 72 is between approximately half anchor length 82 and approximately twice anchor length 82.
Base width 74 can be compared to anchor width 84 to achieve a base-anchor width ratio. A preferred base-anchor width ratio is between approximately 1.5 and approximately 3.0 such that base width 74 is between approximately slightly larger than anchor width 84 and approximately three times anchor width 84.
As previously described, base portion 10 has first base portion 12, second base portion 14, and third base portion 16. Base portion 10 has base connected end 11 and a base terminal end 17 opposite base connected end 11. Base connected end 11 is adjacent to first base portion 12 and base terminal end 17 is adjacent to third base portion 16.
Similarly and as previously describe, anchor portion 30 has first anchor portion 32, second anchor portion 34, and third anchor portion 36. Anchor portion 30 has anchor connected end 31 and an anchor terminal end 37 opposite anchor connected end 31. Anchor connected end 31 is adjacent anchor first portion 32, and anchor terminal end 37 is adjacent anchor third portion 36.
The present embodiment shows the first base aperture 50 as having an elongated shape. In the present embodiment, first base aperture 50 has a length between 0.0625 inch and 0.75 inch with a typical length of about 0.375 inch. First base aperture 50 has a width between 0.0625 inch and 0.75 inch with a typical width of about 0.25 inch.
Although second base aperture 52 is depicted as circular, it may have any shape desired. As shown in
Base portion 10 and anchor portion 30 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses. In this embodiment, clip 100 is made from the same piece of sheet material, which material may be metal, plastic, wood, composites, and the like. The thickness is typically in a range of about 0.03125 inch or greater; more typically in a range of about 0.03125 inch to about 0.125 inch but could be thicker if so desired. In any event, the thickness in not limiting.
Connector portion 20 determines the spacing between base portion 10 and anchor portion 30. If connector portion 20 is a separate component, then its thickness determines the spacing between base portion 10 and anchor portion 30. If connector portion 20 is part of the same sheet of material used to make base portion 10 and anchor portion 30 and if the material is bendable, then it is the size (i.e. radius) of the bend that determines the spacing between base portion 20 and anchor portion 30. For example, a 0.125 radius bend will provide a small space between base portion 20 and anchor portion 30 than a 0.1875 radius. The space between the base portion 10 and the anchor portion 30 of clip 100 is configured to receive an intervening unit such as a belt, tool belt, tool holder, holster, or tool holster. The thickness and/or radius bend of connector portion 20 may be sized to accommodate any of these intervening units. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the connector thickness (or radius bend) may be between 0.125 inch and 0.5 inch.
In this embodiment of the invention, fastener 40 extends from anchor portion 30 through pouch wall 404 of tool holster 400 via an aperture formed in pouch wall 404, securing to the base portion 10. In the present embodiment, a D-ring 410 is shown attached to the base portion 10 via a D-ring securing mechanism 408 that optionally permits the D-ring to pivot within the D-ring securing mechanism 408.
Turning now to
The present invention may be constructed using many different types of material. In the preferred embodiments, the clip 100 is made of a resilient and rigid or semi-rigid material, such as steel, iron, or other similar material. In the preferred embodiments, holster 400, 500 is made of a resilient and flexible or semi-flexible material such as ballistic nylon, polyester ballistic, leather, or other similar material.
Various terminology may be used to describe various embodiments of the present invention. Some of the equivalents are provided herein. The clip 100 may also be referred to as a clip body. The base portion 10 may also be referred to as a first portion. The connector portion 20 may also be referred to as a second portion, a bend portion, or a bend. The anchor portion 30 may also be referred to as a third portion. The fastener 40 may also be referred to as a fastening member. The tool holster 402 may also be referred to as a holster, intervening unit, tool pouch, tool holder, or tool receptacle.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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