Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
• • 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 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 that includes a tool collar and a tethering tab.
• 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 and a tethering tab having a first tab opening and a second tab opening where the tab openings are transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab.
• the bore has 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 is made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50.
• the second tab opening of the tethering tab is spaced from the first tab opening where the first tab opening has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion providing for free rotation of the tethering tab around the first tool portion.
• the collar body is longer than the skirt.
• the second tab opening of the tethering tab is 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 has 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 is made of a resilient material and the tethering tab is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
• the tool collar is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material with a bore liner or coating made of a resilient material.
• the tool collar is 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 have a length ratio of collar body to skirt of about 0.5:1 or greater.
• the collar body and the skirt 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 has a thickness in a range of about 0.06 inches (1 .52 mm) to about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm).
• the collar body has 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 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 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 includes 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 includes providing a hand tool having a first tool portion and a second tool portion, providing a tethering tab and a tool collar of a retrofit system for tethering a hand tool, sliding a first tab opening of the tethering tab over a first tool portion of the hand tool to a predefined position on the first tool portion, forcibly attaching the tool collar to the first tool portion of the hand tool by inserting the first tool portion into a bore at a second end of the tool collar, and forcibly sliding the tool collar a predefined distance along the first tool portion until the second end of the tool collar is adjacent the tethering tab and positioned to permit the free rotation of the tethering tab about the first tool portion.
• the method further includes 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.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention retrofit to a screw driver.
• FIGURE 1 A is a perspective view of the embodiment in Fig. 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 in Fig. 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 in Fig. 2 showing a tapered elongated collar body.
• FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the tool collar illustrated in Fig. 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 in Fig. 1 .
• FIGURE 8 is a front view of the embodiment of the tethering tab illustrated in Fig. 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 embodiment of a retrofit system kit for tethering a hand tool.
• 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 1 A 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.
• 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
• 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 .
• FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of tethering tab 40.
• 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.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Workshop Equipment, Work Benches, Supports, Or Storage Means (AREA)

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• 2012
  • 2012-06-25 BR BR112014032332A patent/BR112014032332A2/pt active Search and Examination
  • 2012-06-25 CA CA2877912A patent/CA2877912C/en active Active
  • 2012-06-25 ES ES12879856T patent/ES2755275T3/es active Active
  • 2012-06-25 WO PCT/US2012/043998 patent/WO2014003708A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-06-25 PT PT128798568T patent/PT2864080T/pt unknown
  • 2012-06-25 EP EP12879856.8A patent/EP2864080B1/en active Active

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