EP2864080B1 - Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool - Google Patents
Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2864080B1 EP2864080B1 EP12879856.8A EP12879856A EP2864080B1 EP 2864080 B1 EP2864080 B1 EP 2864080B1 EP 12879856 A EP12879856 A EP 12879856A EP 2864080 B1 EP2864080 B1 EP 2864080B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- collar
- tab
- tethering
- body end
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B7/00—Pliers; Other hand-held gripping tools with jaws on pivoted limbs; Details applicable generally to pivoted-limb hand tools
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B15/00—Screwdrivers
- B25B15/02—Screwdrivers operated by rotating the handle
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to hand tools. Particularly, the present invention relates to hand tools and tethering of the same.
- the tools are secured to the worker with a tether or in a holster of some sort.
- tethers are lightweight, optionally retractable, and have light duty snap hooks at each end for snap connection to the tool and to the worker's belt or harness.
- Some such tethers even use plastic snaps.
- a loop is formed around the worker's wrist with the free end having a snap connectable to a tool.
- Others have disclosed the use of hook and loop type fasteners to secure the tool to the worker's hand.
- the use of such safety tethers and lanyards is becoming increasingly necessary, especially in industrial centers where workers are constantly exposed to the hazards of falling tools, sometimes from many feet.
- FIG. 1 One such device is a bracelet type tool drop preventing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application JP08-108538 and published as JP09-272077 .
- Drawing 5 of the Japanese patent application discloses a screwdriver with a rotary ring that is attached to the screwdriver using a rubber stopper.
- the present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a retrofit system with the features of claim 1 that includes a tool collar and a tethering tab.
- the collar body may be longer than the skirt.
- the second tab opening of the tethering tab may be spaced from the first tab opening a predefined distance sufficient to position the second tab opening beyond the largest cross-section of the tool collar when the tool collar and the tethering tab are connected to the hand tool to be tethered.
- the second body end of the tool collar may have a flange extending axially with the bore having a diameter smaller than the first tab opening of the tethering tab and a length greater than the thickness of the tethering tab.
- the tool collar may be made of a resilient material and the tethering tab is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
- the tool collar may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material with a bore liner or coating made of a resilient material.
- the tool collar may be made of a material having a Shore A hardness selected from the group consisting of a range of about 20 to about 45, a range of about 25 to about 40, a range of about 25 to about 35, and a range of about 30 to about 35.
- the collar body and the skirt may have a length ratio of collar body to skirt of about 0.5:1 or greater.
- the collar body and the skirt may have a length ratio of the collar body to the skirt selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and greater than 4:1.
- the skirt may have a thickness in a range of about 0.06 inches (1.52 mm) to about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm).
- the collar body may have a wall thickness in a range of about 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) to about 0.175 inches (4.45 mm).
- a junction of the collar body and the skirt may have a radius selected from the group consisting of about 0.08 inches (2.03 mm) to about 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), about 0.089 inches (2.26 mm) to about 0.099 inches (2.51 mm), and 0.094 inches (2.38 mm).
- the radius provides for improved resistance to tearing with manually applying the tool collar to a hand tool.
- a tool collar dimensional characteristic is dependent on the size of the tool on which the retrofit system is applied.
- the tool diameter must be slightly larger than the bore of the collar body of the present invention.
- a tool collar with a 0.031 inch diameter bore may be used on a tool diameter in the range of about 0.035 inches to about 0.094 inches.
- a retrofit kit for tethering a hand tool may include a tool collar made of a resilient material, a tethering tab and instructions for assembling the tool collar and the tethering tab to the hand tool.
- the tool collar has a collar body, a first body end, a second body end, a skirt at the second body end that has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the collar body, and a bore extending between the first body end and the second body end, the bore having a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of a first tool portion of the hand tool providing a snug fit of the tool collar on the first tool portion, the tool collar being made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50
- a method of retrofitting a hand tool for use with a tool lanyard is disclosed with the features of claim 13.
- the method may further include forcibly sliding a tool collar along the first tool portion before the step of sliding the tethering tab to a position on the first tool portion beyond but adjacent to the predefined distance described in the step of sliding the tethering tab.
- FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a retrofit system 10 of the present invention connected to a hand tool 1.
- Retrofit system 10 includes a tool collar 20 and a tethering tab 40.
- tethering tab 40 is mounted on a first tool portion 2 adjacent a second tool portion 3 of hand tool 1.
- hand tool 1 is represented by a screw driver.
- Tethering tab 40 freely rotates around first tool portion 2, which is indicated by arrows A.
- Figure 1A shows tethering tab 40 without tool collar 20 on hand tool 1 to more clearly show the rotational relationship between tethering tab 40 and first tool portion 2.
- tethering tab 40 When a lanyard/tether (not shown) is connected to tethering tab 40, the free rotation of tethering tab 40 around first tool portion 2 does not interfere with the use of hand tool 1.
- the freely rotating tethering tab 40 permits rotation of hand tool 1 when inserting or removing a screw fastener (not shown) without causing the lanyard/tether to twist or tangle on itself or with/around hand tool 1.
- a user will typically apply force using the palm of the hand to the end of second working portion 3 (also known as the handle of the screw driver) of hand tool 1 while tightening or loosening a screw fastener.
- the present invention permits full use of the tool without interference with such use.
- Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of tool collar 20.
- tool collar 20 has a collar body 22, a first body end 24, a second body end 26, a skirt 30 at second body end 26 that has an outer diameter larger than an outer diamer of collar body 22.that and a bore 28 extending longitudinally therethrough.
- skirt 30 preferably extends transversely away from the circumference of second body end 26.
- Bore 28 has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of first tool portion 2 of hand tool 1 providing a snug fit of tool collar 20 on first tool portion 2.
- Skirt 30 extends a predefined distance to provide a larger cross-sectional area at second body end 26 for retaining tethering tab 40 on first tool section 2 of hand tool 1.
- Figure 3 illustrates a side view of tool collar 20 shown in Fig. 2 .
- bore 28 extends through the entire length of tool collar 20.
- Second body end 26 may optionally include a recess 32 forming a tapered opening 33 that is axially aligned with bore 28.
- Optional tapered opening 33 facilitates centering of the first tool portion 2 into bore 28 when tool collar 20 is forcibly slid onto first tool portion 2 from second from end 26. This is more clearly shown in Figure 4 , which is rear view of tool collar 20.
- Tool collar 20 is preferably made of a resilient material but may also be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material so long as bore 28 has a layer or insert or liner 29 of a resilient material securely attached to bore 28 to provide a snug fit between tool collar 20 and first tool portion 2.
- Fig. 2A illustrates an enlarged view of first body end 24 showing the liner 29. Examples of acceptable materials include rubber, silicone and materials having the same or similar resilient characteristics.
- Figure 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of tool collar 20.
- tool collar 20 includes a collar body 22, a first body end 24, a second body end 26, and a bore 28 extending longitudinally therethrough.
- bore 28 has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of first tool portion 2 of hand tool 1 providing a snug fit of tool collar 20 on first tool portion 2.
- Tool collar 20 may optionally also include a skirt 30 that extends transversely away from the circumference of second body end 26. Skirt 30 extends a predefined distance to provide a larger cross-sectional area at second body end 26 for retaining tethering tab 40 on first tool section 2 of hand tool 1.
- an optional flange 34 is also provided in this embodiment.
- Optional flange 34 extends longitudinally from second body end 26 and has a length greater than the thickness of tethering tab 40.
- Figure 6 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of tool collar 20.
- tool collar 20 has a straight, elongated collar body 22.
- This configuration reduces the amount of material used in tool collar 20 but may provide the transition point or junction between skirt 30 and collar body 22 with less strength. This becomes important when the force applied to tool collar 20 for seating tool collar to the predefined location on first tool portion 2 is applied to skirt 30 instead of collar body 22.
- this transition point or junction could tear.
- Tool collar 20 is made of a semi-rigid and resilient material.
- the material is a silicone rubber material.
- tool collar 20 is made of a material having a hardness on the Shore A scale in a range of about 20 or greater and about 50 or lower.
- the material has a Shore A hardness in a range selected from 20 to about 45, from about 25 to about 40, from about 25 to about 35, and, more preferably, from about 30 to about 35.
- the tool collar is made of a material having a Shore A hardness of 35.
- Skirt 30 also has a preferred range for the thickness of the peripheral edge of skirt 30.
- skirt 30 has a peripheral edge thickness in a range of about 0.062 inches (1.57 mm) to about 0.15 inches (3.81 mm).
- the junction or transition point between collar body 22 and skirt 30 preferably has radius in a range of about 0.08 inches (2.03 mm) to about 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), in a range of about 0.089 inches (2.26 mm) to about 0.099 inches (2.51 mm), and of about 0.094 inches (2.38 mm).
- the wall thickness of collar body 22, the length ratio of collar body 22 to skirt 30 as well as the thickness of skirt 30 are also important.
- the wall thickness of collar body 22 is preferably in the range of about 0.06 inches (1.52 mm) to about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm).
- the wall thickness of collar body 22 is in a range of about 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) to about 0.175 inches (4.45 mm).
- the length ratio of collar body 22 to skirt 30 is in the range of about 0.5 to 1 or greater.
- the length ratio is selected from a range of about 1 to 1 , 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1, and greater than 4 to 1.
- Tethering tab 40 includes a tab body 42 with a first tab end 43 and a second tab end 45, a first tab opening 44 and a second tab opening 46 where tab openings 44, 46 are transverse to the longitudinal axis B-B of tethering tab 40.
- Second tab opening 46 is spaced from first tab opening 44 and both tab openings 44, 46 extend completely through tab body 42.
- First tab opening 44 has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of first tool portion 2 to provide for free rotation of tethering tab 40 around first tool portion 2.
- Second tab opening 46 is spaced from second tab end 45 providing a retaining edge 47 around which a tether clip (not shown) is attached.
- first tab opening 44 to second tab opening 46 is dependent on the diameter of first tool portion 2 and the size of the tether clip.
- tethering tab 40 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 have semi-circularly shaped first and second tab ends 43 and 45, respectively, it is contemplated that the shape of first and second tab ends 43, 45 may be any configuration so long as tethering tab 40 can be used for its intended purpose.
- the intended purpose being that tethering tap 40 is connectable to a first tool portion 2 and can freely rotate about first tool portion 2 while presenting a second tab end 45 for attachment to the clip of a tool tether.
- Tethering tab 40 may also have any configuration so long as tethering tab 40 can be used for its intended purpose.
- Tethering tab 40 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Examples of such materials are metal, plastic and the like.
- FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a tool that may require two tool collars 20. As can be seen, second collar ends 26 are opposed to each other with tethering tab 40 therebetween. In this embodiment, tethering tab 40 also freely rotates around first tool portion 2.
- Figure 10 illustrates a plan view of a kit containing the retrofit system 10 of the present invention.
- the kit contains one or more tool collars 20, a tethering tab 40 and instructions 60 for attaching the one or more tool collars 20 and the tethering tab 40 to a hand tool.
- a hand tool 1 that is not equipped to be attached to a tool lanyard but is to be retrofitted for attaching a tool lanyard is provided.
- a hand tool that has an abrupt change is cross-sectional area between a first tool portion 2 and a second tool portion 3 such as, for example, a screw driver
- first tab opening 44 of tethering tab 40 is slid onto first tool portion 2 up to and adjacent to second tool portion 3.
- bore 28 of second body end 26 of tool collar 20 is forcibly slid onto first tool portion 2 to a predefined distance adjacent tethering tab 40 so as to permit tethering tab 40 to freely rotate around first tool portion 2.
- the snug fit of tool collar 20 prevents tethering tab 40 from sliding off of first tool portion 2.
- a bore 28 of a first body end 24 of tool collar 40 is forcibly slid onto first too portion 2 to a predefined distance.
- first tab opening 44 of tethering tab 40 is slid onto first tool portion 2 up to and adjacent to second body end 26 of tool collar 20 that was already installed on first tool portion 2.
- bore 28 of second body end 26 of another tool collar 20 is forcibly slid onto first tool portion 2 to a predefined distance adjacent tethering tab 40 so as to permit tethering tab 40 to freely rotate around first tool portion 2 between the first tool collar 20 and the second tool collar 20.
- the snug fit of the first and second tool collars 20 prevents tethering tab 40 from sliding off of first tool portion 2.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to hand tools. Particularly, the present invention relates to hand tools and tethering of the same.
- It is a generally accepted safety practice to secure a workman's tools in some manner when working from a ladder or above ground level. Over the years different types of devices for preventing the accidental dropping and/or loss of a tool and a tool accessory have been attempted when working in overhead situations. A dropped tool or tool accessory could be hazardous for personnel working below or the dropped tool or tool accessory could potentially damage a vital piece of equipment. This can occur when the tool is mishandled, bumped, or jarred, becoming dislodged from the users hand and free to fall to whatever is beneath the worker. In some cases, this can be a passerby, another worker or even vital plant equipment.
- Typically, the tools are secured to the worker with a tether or in a holster of some sort. Generally, tethers are lightweight, optionally retractable, and have light duty snap hooks at each end for snap connection to the tool and to the worker's belt or harness. Some such tethers even use plastic snaps. In some cases a loop is formed around the worker's wrist with the free end having a snap connectable to a tool. Others have disclosed the use of hook and loop type fasteners to secure the tool to the worker's hand. The use of such safety tethers and lanyards is becoming increasingly necessary, especially in industrial centers where workers are constantly exposed to the hazards of falling tools, sometimes from many feet.
- Many attempts have been made to secure tools to tethers and users. Some are successful and easy to use while others are makeshift and lack the quality needed to sustain heavier tools. Devices have been created to allow for lanyard attachment to hand tools. Some devices include using eye hooks, or D-rings with webbing secured by tape or heat shrink tubing. Other devices are tubular and used over the butt end of screw drivers and other tools with handles such as, for example, pliers, hammers, cutters, etc. These tubular devices are normally heat shrinkable onto the tool or are self-insertable device made of a resilient material that provides a suction force when the tool handle or butt end is inserted into the tubular device. The suction force created upon insertion of the tool into the tubular device prevents the tool from being easily pulled out or separated from the tubular device.
- One such device is a bracelet type tool drop preventing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
JP08-108538 JP09-272077 Drawing 5 of the Japanese patent application discloses a screwdriver with a rotary ring that is attached to the screwdriver using a rubber stopper. - In some cases, provisions are made on the tool itself for making such attachments. In most cases when tools are provided with an eyelet, however, it is typically provided as a means for storing on a wall hook or the like.
- Therefore, what is needed is a system that will retrofit a hand tool for coupling to a tool lanyard or tether.
- Currently available retrofit systems are tubular devices that typically use an eyelet secured to the tool intended to be tethered. There are disadvantages to these tubular retrofit systems. The eyelet is always attached to the non-working end of the tubular device or the tool. For example, when used on screw drivers, the eyelet interferes with the full usefulness of the tool. With most screw drivers, the butt end is designed to fit in the palm of the user's hand to allow the user to press down while tightening or loosening a screw. If the eyelet is at the end of the tool, this cannot be accomplished successfully. This is also true for other types of tools such as pliers, hammers, other hand tools, and the like where the palm of the user's hand grips the end of the tool to apply gripping pressure and/or transfer greater impacting force through the tool. For tubular devices relying on the suction caused by insertion of the tool into the tubular, flexible material, another disadvantage arises. For these devices, the suction force holding the tool such as a screw driver to the tethering device may be abruptly relieved when attempting to pull/remove the screw driver from the tethering device. This abrupt release causes the tool to quickly release with accelerating force due to the amount of force required to pull the screw driver or other tool necessary to counter the suction force created when applying the tubular device to the tool. If a tool has a sharp end such as most screw drivers, the user/worker and/or bystander could be injured. In screwdriver devices using a rotary ring with a rubber stopper, such devices suffer from various disadvantages. For instance, the rubber stopper must be of a low enough durometer to allow sliding the stopper to a position adjacent the handle. Unfortunately, this also allows the rubber stopper to be pulled off either intentionally or inadvertently, which would cause the screwdriver to become separated from the tethering device. The use of a rubber stopper having sufficient durometer to prevent the stopper from being inadvertenly removed from the screwdriver, however, makes it practially impossible to manually apply the rubber stopper onto the screwdriver and move it to the proper position on the screwdriver.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a retrofit system for tethering a tool. It is another object of the present invention to provide a retrofit system for tethering a tool that allows for the full intended use of the tool. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retrofit system for tethering a tool that minimizes the entanglement of the tool lanyard with the tool during use. It is another object of the present invention to allow manual installation of the retrofit system onto a hand tool.
- The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a retrofit system with the features of
claim 1 that includes a tool collar and a tethering tab. - The collar body may be longer than the skirt.
- The second tab opening of the tethering tab may be spaced from the first tab opening a predefined distance sufficient to position the second tab opening beyond the largest cross-section of the tool collar when the tool collar and the tethering tab are connected to the hand tool to be tethered.
- The second body end of the tool collar may have a flange extending axially with the bore having a diameter smaller than the first tab opening of the tethering tab and a length greater than the thickness of the tethering tab.
- The tool collar may be made of a resilient material and the tethering tab is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
- The tool collar may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material with a bore liner or coating made of a resilient material.
- The tool collar may be made of a material having a Shore A hardness selected from the group consisting of a range of about 20 to about 45, a range of about 25 to about 40, a range of about 25 to about 35, and a range of about 30 to about 35.
- The collar body and the skirt may have a length ratio of collar body to skirt of about 0.5:1 or greater.
- The collar body and the skirt may have a length ratio of the collar body to the skirt selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and greater than 4:1.
- The skirt may have a thickness in a range of about 0.06 inches (1.52 mm) to about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm).
- The collar body may have a wall thickness in a range of about 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) to about 0.175 inches (4.45 mm).
- A junction of the collar body and the skirt may have a radius selected from the group consisting of about 0.08 inches (2.03 mm) to about 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), about 0.089 inches (2.26 mm) to about 0.099 inches (2.51 mm), and 0.094 inches (2.38 mm). The radius provides for improved resistance to tearing with manually applying the tool collar to a hand tool.
- It is understood that the selection of a tool collar dimensional characteristic is dependent on the size of the tool on which the retrofit system is applied. In other words, the tool diameter must be slightly larger than the bore of the collar body of the present invention. For example, a tool collar with a 0.031 inch diameter bore may be used on a tool diameter in the range of about 0.035 inches to about 0.094 inches.
- A retrofit kit for tethering a hand tool may include a tool collar made of a resilient material, a tethering tab and instructions for assembling the tool collar and the tethering tab to the hand tool. The tool collar has a collar body, a first body end, a second body end, a skirt at the second body end that has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the collar body, and a bore extending between the first body end and the second body end, the bore having a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of a first tool portion of the hand tool providing a snug fit of the tool collar on the first tool portion, the tool collar being made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50
- In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of retrofitting a hand tool for use with a tool lanyard is disclosed with the features of claim 13.
- The method may further include forcibly sliding a tool collar along the first tool portion before the step of sliding the tethering tab to a position on the first tool portion beyond but adjacent to the predefined distance described in the step of sliding the tethering tab.
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FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention retrofit to a screw driver. -
FIGURE 1A is a perspective view of the embodiment inFig. 1 showing the present invention with the tool collar removed to illustrate the tethering tab on the first tool portion. -
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tool collar illustrated inFig. 1 . -
FIGURE 2A is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the first body end of the tool collar showing the liner in the bore of the tool collar when the tool collar is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. -
FIGURE 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the tool collar illustrated inFig. 2 showing a tapered elongated collar body. -
FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the tool collar illustrated inFig. 2 showing the recess into the collar body from the second collar end. -
FIGURE 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the tool collar of the present invention. -
FIGURE 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a tool collar of the present invention showing a straight elongated collar body. -
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tethering tab illustrated inFig. 1 . -
FIGURE 8 is a front view of the embodiment of the tethering tab illustrated inFig. 5 . -
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention retrofit to a pair of pliers showing use of two tool collars. -
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of one example of a retrofit system kit for tethering a hand tool. - The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is illustrated in
Figs. 1-10 .Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of aretrofit system 10 of the present invention connected to ahand tool 1.Retrofit system 10 includes atool collar 20 and atethering tab 40. As illustrated,tethering tab 40 is mounted on afirst tool portion 2 adjacent asecond tool portion 3 ofhand tool 1. InFig. 1 ,hand tool 1 is represented by a screw driver.Tethering tab 40 freely rotates aroundfirst tool portion 2, which is indicated by arrows A.Figure 1A showstethering tab 40 withouttool collar 20 onhand tool 1 to more clearly show the rotational relationship betweentethering tab 40 andfirst tool portion 2. When a lanyard/tether (not shown) is connected totethering tab 40, the free rotation oftethering tab 40 aroundfirst tool portion 2 does not interfere with the use ofhand tool 1. The freelyrotating tethering tab 40 permits rotation ofhand tool 1 when inserting or removing a screw fastener (not shown) without causing the lanyard/tether to twist or tangle on itself or with/aroundhand tool 1. Furthermore, a user will typically apply force using the palm of the hand to the end of second working portion 3 (also known as the handle of the screw driver) ofhand tool 1 while tightening or loosening a screw fastener. The present invention permits full use of the tool without interference with such use. -
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment oftool collar 20. In this embodiment,tool collar 20 has acollar body 22, afirst body end 24, asecond body end 26, askirt 30 atsecond body end 26 that has an outer diameter larger than an outer diamer of collar body 22.that and abore 28 extending longitudinally therethrough. As shown inFig. 2 ,skirt 30 preferably extends transversely away from the circumference ofsecond body end 26.Bore 28 has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area offirst tool portion 2 ofhand tool 1 providing a snug fit oftool collar 20 onfirst tool portion 2.Skirt 30 extends a predefined distance to provide a larger cross-sectional area atsecond body end 26 for retainingtethering tab 40 onfirst tool section 2 ofhand tool 1. -
Figure 3 illustrates a side view oftool collar 20 shown inFig. 2 . As can be seen, bore 28 extends through the entire length oftool collar 20. Second body end 26 may optionally include arecess 32 forming a tapered opening 33 that is axially aligned withbore 28. Optional tapered opening 33 facilitates centering of thefirst tool portion 2 intobore 28 whentool collar 20 is forcibly slid ontofirst tool portion 2 from second fromend 26. This is more clearly shown inFigure 4 , which is rear view oftool collar 20.Tool collar 20 is preferably made of a resilient material but may also be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material so long asbore 28 has a layer or insert orliner 29 of a resilient material securely attached to bore 28 to provide a snug fit betweentool collar 20 andfirst tool portion 2.Fig. 2A illustrates an enlarged view offirst body end 24 showing theliner 29. Examples of acceptable materials include rubber, silicone and materials having the same or similar resilient characteristics. -
Figure 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment oftool collar 20. In this embodiment,tool collar 20 includes acollar body 22, afirst body end 24, asecond body end 26, and abore 28 extending longitudinally therethrough. Like the tool collar shown inFig. 2 , bore 28 has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area offirst tool portion 2 ofhand tool 1 providing a snug fit oftool collar 20 onfirst tool portion 2.Tool collar 20 may optionally also include askirt 30 that extends transversely away from the circumference ofsecond body end 26.Skirt 30 extends a predefined distance to provide a larger cross-sectional area atsecond body end 26 for retainingtethering tab 40 onfirst tool section 2 ofhand tool 1. Also provided in this embodiment is anoptional flange 34.Optional flange 34 extends longitudinally fromsecond body end 26 and has a length greater than the thickness oftethering tab 40. -
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of another embodiment oftool collar 20. In this embodiment,tool collar 20 has a straight,elongated collar body 22. This configuration reduces the amount of material used intool collar 20 but may provide the transition point or junction betweenskirt 30 andcollar body 22 with less strength. This becomes important when the force applied totool collar 20 for seating tool collar to the predefined location onfirst tool portion 2 is applied to skirt 30 instead ofcollar body 22. Depending on the amount of force applied to skirt 30 and the amount of resistance caused by the snug fit ofbore 28 aroundfirst tool portion 2, this transition point or junction could tear. -
Tool collar 20 is made of a semi-rigid and resilient material. Preferably, the material is a silicone rubber material. To provide a sufficient gripping characteristic oftool collar 20 to a hand tool to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal oftool collar 20 from the hand tool yet be capable of manual installation oftool collar 20 onto the hand tool,tool collar 20 is made of a material having a hardness on the Shore A scale in a range of about 20 or greater and about 50 or lower. Preferably, the material has a Shore A hardness in a range selected from 20 to about 45, from about 25 to about 40, from about 25 to about 35, and, more preferably, from about 30 to about 35. Most preferably, the tool collar is made of a material having a Shore A hardness of 35. - Most importantly, it was discovered that when a tool collar having a size and shape similar to that disclosed in
Figure 5 of Laid-Open Japanese Patent Application No.JP09-272077 Fig. 5 . A disadvantage of such a tool collar was the ease with which the tool collar could be removed. A tool that is accidentally or inadvertently dropped attached with such a tool collar has a higher probability that the stress imparted against the tool collar from the falling weight of the tool would be sufficient to pull the tool collar off. This creates a safety hazard for anyone or any equipment below the dropped tool. When a tool collar was made with a Shore A hardness of 20 or higher and having a similar shape as that disclosed inJP09-272077 -
Skirt 30 also has a preferred range for the thickness of the peripheral edge ofskirt 30. Preferably,skirt 30 has a peripheral edge thickness in a range of about 0.062 inches (1.57 mm) to about 0.15 inches (3.81 mm). - The junction or transition point between
collar body 22 andskirt 30 preferably has radius in a range of about 0.08 inches (2.03 mm) to about 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), in a range of about 0.089 inches (2.26 mm) to about 0.099 inches (2.51 mm), and of about 0.094 inches (2.38 mm). - The wall thickness of
collar body 22, the length ratio ofcollar body 22 to skirt 30 as well as the thickness ofskirt 30 are also important. The wall thickness ofcollar body 22 is preferably in the range of about 0.06 inches (1.52 mm) to about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm). Preferably, the wall thickness ofcollar body 22 is in a range of about 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) to about 0.175 inches (4.45 mm). The length ratio ofcollar body 22 to skirt 30 is in the range of about 0.5 to 1 or greater. Preferably, the length ratio is selected from a range of about 1 to 1 , 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1, and greater than 4 to 1. -
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment oftethering tab 40.Tethering tab 40 includes atab body 42 with afirst tab end 43 and asecond tab end 45, afirst tab opening 44 and a second tab opening 46 wheretab openings tethering tab 40.Second tab opening 46 is spaced fromfirst tab opening 44 and bothtab openings tab body 42.First tab opening 44 has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area offirst tool portion 2 to provide for free rotation oftethering tab 40 aroundfirst tool portion 2.Second tab opening 46 is spaced fromsecond tab end 45 providing a retainingedge 47 around which a tether clip (not shown) is attached. The size of first tab opening 44 to second tab opening 46 is dependent on the diameter offirst tool portion 2 and the size of the tether clip. Althoughtethering tab 40 shown inFigs. 7 and 8 have semi-circularly shaped first and second tab ends 43 and 45, respectively, it is contemplated that the shape of first and second tab ends 43, 45 may be any configuration so long astethering tab 40 can be used for its intended purpose. The intended purpose being that tetheringtap 40 is connectable to afirst tool portion 2 and can freely rotate aboutfirst tool portion 2 while presenting asecond tab end 45 for attachment to the clip of a tool tether. It is also contemplated that the peripheral shape oftethering tab 40 may also have any configuration so long astethering tab 40 can be used for its intended purpose.Tethering tab 40 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Examples of such materials are metal, plastic and the like. - For tools that offer an abrupt change in cross-sectional area between
first tool portion 2 andsecond tool portion 3, only onetool collar 20 is necessary so thattethering tab 40 is "sandwiched" betweensecond collar end 26 andsecond tool portion 3. For tools that do not have an abrupt change in cross-sectional area betweenfirst tool portion 2 andsecond tool portion 3, asecond tool collar 20 is used to "sandwich"tethering tab 40 therebetween.Figure 9 illustrates one example of a tool that may require twotool collars 20. As can be seen, second collar ends 26 are opposed to each other withtethering tab 40 therebetween. In this embodiment,tethering tab 40 also freely rotates aroundfirst tool portion 2. -
Figure 10 illustrates a plan view of a kit containing theretrofit system 10 of the present invention. The kit contains one ormore tool collars 20, atethering tab 40 andinstructions 60 for attaching the one ormore tool collars 20 and thetethering tab 40 to a hand tool. - To use the present invention, a
hand tool 1 that is not equipped to be attached to a tool lanyard but is to be retrofitted for attaching a tool lanyard is provided. For a hand tool that has an abrupt change is cross-sectional area between afirst tool portion 2 and asecond tool portion 3 such as, for example, a screw driver, first tab opening 44 oftethering tab 40 is slid ontofirst tool portion 2 up to and adjacent tosecond tool portion 3. Next, bore 28 of second body end 26 oftool collar 20 is forcibly slid ontofirst tool portion 2 to a predefined distanceadjacent tethering tab 40 so as to permittethering tab 40 to freely rotate aroundfirst tool portion 2. The snug fit oftool collar 20 preventstethering tab 40 from sliding off offirst tool portion 2. - For a hand tool that does not have an abrupt change in cross-sectional area between a
first tool portion 2 and asecond tool portion 3 such as, for example, a pair of pliers, abore 28 of afirst body end 24 oftool collar 40 is forcibly slid onto first tooportion 2 to a predefined distance. Next, first tab opening 44 oftethering tab 40 is slid ontofirst tool portion 2 up to and adjacent to second body end 26 oftool collar 20 that was already installed onfirst tool portion 2. Next, bore 28 of second body end 26 of anothertool collar 20 is forcibly slid ontofirst tool portion 2 to a predefined distanceadjacent tethering tab 40 so as to permittethering tab 40 to freely rotate aroundfirst tool portion 2 between thefirst tool collar 20 and thesecond tool collar 20. The snug fit of the first andsecond tool collars 20 preventstethering tab 40 from sliding off offirst tool portion 2. - 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.
Claims (15)
- A retrofit system (10) for tethering a hand tool (1), the system (10) comprising:a tool collar (20) having a collar body (22), a first body end (24), a second body end (26), and a bore (28) extending longitudinally therethrough, the bore (28) having a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of a first tool portion (2) of the hand tool (1) and providing a snug fit of the tool collar (20) on the first tool portion (2); anda tethering tab (40) having a first tab opening (44) and a second tab opening (46) transverse to a longitudinal axis (β-β) of the tethering tab (40), the second tab opening (46) being spaced from the first tab opening (44), the first tab opening (44) having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion (2) providing for free rotation of the tethering tab (40) around the first tool portion (2);characterized in thatthe tool collar (20) has a skirt (30) at the second body end (26) that extends a predefined distance transversely away from the collar body (22),wherein the skirt (30) of the tool collar (20) has a larger cross-sectional area at the second body end (26) than the first tab opening (44) of the tethering tab (40) to retain the tethering tab (40) on the first tool portion (2) while permitting the free rotation of the tethering tab (40) around the first tool portion (2).
- The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the tool collar (20) is made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second tab opening (46) is spaced from the first tab opening (44) a predefined distance sufficient to position the second tab opening (46) beyond the largest cross-section of the tool collar (20) when the tool collar (20) and the tethering tab (40) are connected to the tool (1) to be tethered.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a flange (34) at the second body end (26) extending axially with the bore (28) and having a diameter smaller than the first tab opening (44) of the tethering tab (40) and a length greater than the thickness of the tethering tab (40).
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tool collar (20) is made of a resilient material having a Shore A hardness selected from the group consisting of a range of about 20 to about 45, a range of about 25 to about 40, a range of about 25 to about 35, and a range of about 30 to about 35.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tool collar (20) is made of a resilient material having a Shore A hardness of about 35.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the collar body (22) and the skirt (30) have a length ratio of collar body to skirt of about 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and greater than 4:1.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the collar body (22) has a wall thickness in a range of about 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) to about 0.175 inches (4.45 mm).
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a junction of the collar body (22) and the skirt (30) wherein the junction has a radius selected from the group consisting of about 0.08 inches (2.03 mm) to about 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), about 0.089 inches (2.26 mm) to about 0.099 inches (2.51 mm), and 0.094 inches (2.38 mm).
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tool collar (20) is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material and contains a liner fixed in the bore.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tethering tab (40) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and composite.
- The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a second tool collar (20) for placement wherein the tethering tab (40) is between the tool collar (20) and the second tool collar (20).
- A method of retrofitting a hand tool (1) for use with a tool lanyard, the method comprising:providing a hand tool (1) having a first tool portion (2) and a second tool portion (3);providing a tethering tab (40) and a tool collar (20) of a retrofit system (10) for tethering a tool (1), the tool collar (20) having a collar body (22), a first body end (24), a second body end (26), and a bore (28) extending between the first body end (24) and the second body end (26), the bore (28) having a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of a first tool portion (2) of the hand tool (1) providing a snug fit of the tool collar (20) on the first tool portion (2), to retain the tethering tab (40) on the first tool portion (2) while permitting the free rotation of the tethering tab (40) around the first tool portion (2);sliding the first tab opening (44) of the tethering tab (40) over a first tool portion (2) of the hand tool (1) to a predefined position on the first tool portion (2);forcibly attaching the tool collar (20) to the first tool portion (2) of the hand tool (1) by inserting the first tool portion (2) into the bore (28) at the second body end (26) of the tool collar (20); andforcibly sliding the tool collar (20) a predefined distance along the first tool portion (2) until the second body end (26) of the tool collar (20) is adjacent the tethering tab (40) and positioned to permit the free rotation of the tethering tab (40) about the first tool portion (2),characterized in thatthe tool collar (20) has a skirt (30) at the second body end (26) that has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the collar body (22),wherein the skirt (30) of the tool collar (20) has a larger cross-sectional area at the second body end (26) than a first tab opening (44) of the tethering tab (40).
- The method of claim 13, further comprising forcibly sliding a second tool collar (20) along the first tool portion (2) before the tethering tab sliding step to a position on the first tool portion (2) beyond but adjacent to the predefined distance in the tethering tab sliding step.
- The method of claims 13 or 14, further comprising selecting a material for the tool collar (20) having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PT128798568T PT2864080T (en) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-06-25 | Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/043998 WO2014003708A1 (en) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-06-25 | Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2864080A1 EP2864080A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 |
EP2864080A4 EP2864080A4 (en) | 2016-03-09 |
EP2864080B1 true EP2864080B1 (en) | 2019-10-30 |
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ID=49783664
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP12879856.8A Active EP2864080B1 (en) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-06-25 | Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2864080B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112014032332A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2877912C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2755275T3 (en) |
PT (1) | PT2864080T (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014003708A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11878406B2 (en) | 2020-07-22 | 2024-01-23 | Royal Machine Solutions Inc. | Holder for a bit of a tool |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP2866052B2 (en) * | 1996-04-03 | 1999-03-08 | 株式会社竹中工務店 | Bracelet type tool fall prevention tool |
JP2001277144A (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-09 | Shinki Seisakusho:Kk | Driver connecting tool |
JP3490665B2 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2004-01-26 | 株式会社ベッセル工業 | Manual tool drawstring locker |
JP2008284633A (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2008-11-27 | Maindo:Kk | Coupler |
GB2484991A (en) * | 2010-10-30 | 2012-05-02 | Derek Dickinson | A tool tether |
-
2012
- 2012-06-25 EP EP12879856.8A patent/EP2864080B1/en active Active
- 2012-06-25 WO PCT/US2012/043998 patent/WO2014003708A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-06-25 CA CA2877912A patent/CA2877912C/en active Active
- 2012-06-25 BR BR112014032332A patent/BR112014032332A2/en active Search and Examination
- 2012-06-25 ES ES12879856T patent/ES2755275T3/en active Active
- 2012-06-25 PT PT128798568T patent/PT2864080T/en unknown
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Also Published As
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WO2014003708A1 (en) | 2014-01-03 |
CA2877912C (en) | 2019-03-26 |
BR112014032332A2 (en) | 2017-06-27 |
PT2864080T (en) | 2019-11-26 |
CA2877912A1 (en) | 2014-01-03 |
ES2755275T3 (en) | 2020-04-22 |
EP2864080A4 (en) | 2016-03-09 |
EP2864080A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 |
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