WO2021111135A1

WO2021111135A1 - A tethering system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021111135A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/053099
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Brine
Original assignee: Rapid Eps Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-06
Filing date: 2020-12-03
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Also published as: GB201917866D0

Abstract

A tethering system is provided for tethering a tool in use. The tethering system includes at least one support post. The at least one support post is movable between an extended or in-use position, wherein at least one end of the support post is arranged to engage, directly or indirectly, with at least one surface in use, and a retracted or out-of-use position, wherein the at least one support post is movable relative to said at least one surface in use. Attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support post and said attachment means are arranged so as to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use.

Description

A Tethering System and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to a tethering system and a method of using the tethering system.

Although the following description refers exclusively to a tethering system of a type for use with tools in the construction industry, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with any other items and can be used in any suitable application, such as for example rope access work, and is not limited to hand tools or the construction industry.

It is known to tether tools to worker’s harnesses and belts as well as to static fixing points to reduce the negative consequences of dropping tools. Dropping tools, particularly from a height, has numerous negative consequences. The most important is that dropped tools frequently result in serious injury or loss of life.

Even if the dropped tool does not result in injury the tools are frequently damaged and have to be replaced. In the event that a dropped tool can be retrieved and is in a useable condition, there is still a considerable loss in productivity in retrieving the same.

Conventional tethering to a worker’s harness or belt can still result in injury from a dropped tool, particularly if the tool is relatively heavy and pulls the worker and/or harness with it. Tethering to a fixed or anchor point, for example by drilling and securing an eyelet or ring to a solid floor reduces the risk of the worker being injured but damages the floor substrate and affects productivity because a new fixing point needs to be made as the work progresses. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a tethering system that addresses the abovementioned problems. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a tethering system that addresses the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an attachment means or tether device for use with a tethering system, and a method of using an attachment means or tether device.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a support post with a tether system, tether device or attachment means, and a method of using the same.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a tethering system.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a tethering system for tethering a tool in use, said tethering system including at least one support post, said at least one support post movable between an extended or in-use position, wherein at least one end of the support post is arranged to engage, directly or indirectly, with at least one surface in use, and a retracted or out-of-use position, wherein the at least one support post is movable to said at least one surface in use, characterised in that attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support post, and said attachment means are attached so as to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use. Thus, the present invention provides a support post that can be engaged with a surface or between two opposing surfaces (such as for example between a floor and a ceiling surface in a construction or building) that allows one or more tools to be securely tethered and/or attached to the same in use. As the support post can be easily moved into and out of engagement with the surface or surfaces in use, the tethering system does not result in damage to the surface or surfaces and can allow tethering of a tool quickly, inexpensively and easily.

Preferably the attachment means is or includes a tether device and can allow a tool to be attached directly to the same or indirectly to the same via any or any combination of a tether or length or wire, string, rope, elongate flexible member, resilient biasing member, elasticated member, coiled member, sprung member, and/or the like.

In one embodiment wherein the attachment means or tether device includes a tether, length or wire, string, rope, elongate flexible member and/ or the like, the tool is typically detachably attached to one end of the tether, string, rope, elongate flexible member and the other end is attached or detachably attached to the attachment means provided on or associated with the at least one support post.

In one embodiment the attachment means is or includes a collar, sleeve member or annular member located around at least part of the at least one support post.

In one embodiment the attachment includes one or more semi circular attachment members that locates at least partly around the at least one support post in use. In one embodiment the collar, sleeve member, semi-circular attachment member or annular member can include a single attachment member or can include two or more attachment members that are joined together, hingedly joined together and/or pivotably joined together.

Further preferably the two or more attachment members can be movable relative to each other to allow the attachment means to be moved into engagement with the at least one support post and/or out of engagement with the at least one support post in use.

In one embodiment the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more protrusions, linkages, a linkage assembly, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures arranged to allow a tool, lanyard or tether to be attached to the same in use.

Further typically the other end of the tether or lanyard is attached to a tool in use.

In one embodiment the attachment means include one or more loops or rings defining at least one aperture. Typically tools and/or tethers can be clipped or otherwise connected to said loops or rings, thereby securing said tool.

Preferably the one or more apertures, eyelets, loops, rings, linkages and/or linkage assembly are O-shaped, D-shaped, C- shaped, G-shaped, substantially O-shaped, substantially D- shaped, substantially C-shaped and/or substantially G-shaped in form.

In one embodiment the attachment means includes two or more protrusions, apertures, eyelets, loops, rings, linkages and/or linkage assemblies arranged to allow two or more tools or tethers to be attached to the same in use.

Preferably the two or more protrusions, apertures, eyelets, loops, rings, linkages and/or linkage assemblies are arranged a spaced distance apart from each other on the attachment means.

In one embodiment the two or more protrusions apertures, eyelets, loops, rings, linkages and/or linkage assemblies are arranged a spaced distance apart with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post and/or are arranged a spaced distance apart around a circumference or outer perimeter of the at least one support post.

In one embodiment the two or more protrusions, linkages, linkage assemblies, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures are arranged to face or protrude in different directions and/or orientations with respect to each other to allow the tools and/ or tether connected to the same in use to be movable more easily in different directions and/ or orientations.

In one embodiment at least one or part of said attachment means is secured around the circumference, perimeter and/ or outside of the at least one support post.

In one embodiment the attachment means is integrally formed with at least part of the at least one support post.

In one embodiment the attachment means is attached or detachably attached to at least part of the at least one support post via securing means. For example, the attachment means can be retrofitted to an existing support post, can be attached to a support post as and when needed, can be attached to different parts or locations on the support post depending on a user’s requirements and/or the like.

Preferably the securing means includes any or any combination of welding, adhesive, friction fit, one or more nuts, bolts, clips, bracket members, screws, ties, inter-engaging members and/ or the like.

In one embodiment at least one of said attachment means is rotatably or movably mounted on the at least one support post.

Preferably at least one of the attachment means is rotatably mounted or movably mounted about a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post.

In one embodiment two or more separate attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support member, further preferably the two or more separate attachment means are located a spaced distance apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post.

Preferably the tether includes a clip and/ or a lanyard for detachable attachment to the attachment means of the tethering system.

In a preferred embodiment the device includes at least a first and second extendible members. Typically the at least first and second members are extendable from one another and/ or telescopically arranged.

In one embodiment the at least one support post includes a first support post member and at least a second support post member telescopically mounted in said first support post member, thereby allowing the at least one support post to be moved between the extended or in-use position and the retracted or out-of-use position.

Preferably the at least one support post, the first support post member and/or the at least second support post member are linear, substantially linear, elongate and/ or substantially elongate in form.

In one embodiment an adjustment mechanism is provided to allow the telescopic members to be moved between the extended in-use position and the retracted or out-of-use position.

Typically the distal end or ends of said first and/or second support post members engaging directly or indirectly with a suitable surface being supported in use.

Further typically locking means are provided between said at least first and second extendible and/ or telescopic support post members to lock the members in a required relative position in use.

In one embodiment locking means are provided to lock the at least one support post, the first and/or second support post members in a required positions in use.

In a preferred embodiment the locking means includes a locking portion movably mounted on the at least one support post, the first and/ or at least second support post members, and actuating means arranged to move said locking portion between a first unlocked position, wherein said locking portion is movable relative to said at least one support post, the first and/or second support post members, and a second locked position, wherein said locking portion engages with said at least one support post, the first and/ or second support post members to lock the post or post members in said required position in use.

Preferably the locking portion is movable or slidably movable relative to the at least one support post, the first and/ or second support post members in use. For example, the locking portion can be movable or slidably movable longitudinally of the device in the first unlocked position (i.e., such as parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post member, the first and/ or second support post members).

Preferably the locking portion has an aperture or recess defined therein and the support post, the first and/or second support post members are located through said aperture or recess and are movable relative thereto.

Preferably the locking portion includes or is in the form of a plate with an aperture defined therethrough.

Preferably one or more edges, inner or inwardly edges defining the aperture or recess are moved into engagement with the at least one support post, the first and/or second support post members in the second locked position.

In one embodiment the locking portion is provided on or associated with one of the first or second support post members and the actuating means are provided on or associated with the other of the first or second support members.

Preferably at least part of the actuating means is attached to one of said at least first and second telescopic support post members and the locking portion is movably mounted on the other of said telescopic support post members in the first unlocked position. In a preferred embodiment the actuating means is attached to the outer or lower support post member and the locking portion is movably mounted on the inner or upper telescopic support post member in the first unlocked position.

Preferably the actuating means includes a bracket assembly to which an actuating handle portion is movably mounted. The actuating handle portion typically actuates movement of the locking portion between the locked and unlocked positions in use.

Further preferably the handle portion is arranged so as to move the locked portion from a position where it is transverse or substantially transverse to the support post, the first and/or second support post members in the first unlocked position, to a position wherein it is parallel, substantially parallel or at a reduced acute angle with respect to the support post, the first and/or second support post members in the second locked position.

The handle portion can be provided with a cam or curved surface to angle or lock the locking portion as required, such as for example, in the second locked position in use.

Preferably the bracket assembly includes stop means to limit movement of the locking portion on said support post, the first and/or second support post members in use. In one embodiment the stop means includes a plate like member with an aperture defined therethrough which, in the first unlocked position, allows said support post or one of said first or second support post members to be movable therethrough. In one example, the stop plate limits movement of the locking portion in one direction, or in two opposite directions, and the end of the support post, first and/ or second support post member to which the bracket assembly is joined. Thus, in one example, the dimensions of the aperture or recess of the locking portion in one example are larger than the dimensions of the inner telescopic member or first support post member, but are smaller than the dimensions of the outer telescopic member or second support post member.

Preferably the locking portion including at least one recess which is movably mounted on at least a part of said bracket assembly, thereby guiding movement of the locking portion relative to the bracket assembly in use.

In one embodiment a further safety lock can be provided to lock the actuating means in the second locked position in use.

In one embodiment the further safety lock is required to be engaged with the actuating means to help lock the locking portion in the second locked position in use.

Preferably the further safety lock is in the form of a lever or annular member which is moved into engagement between the handle portion and one of the support post, the first and/or second support post members.

Further preferably the further safety lock is pivotably mounted to one of the support post, the first and/ or second support post members.

Preferably a support foot is provided at an end or distal end of the support post, the first and/or second support post members to engage with one or more suitable surfaces in use. In one embodiment support foot can have one or more engaging means associated therewith to increase engagement between the support foot and the support surface in use.

Preferably the engaging means can include one or more protruding spikes, teeth, gripping members and/ or the like.

Preferably the support foot can be fixedly or movably joined to a distal end of the ends or ends of the support post, or to an end of the first and/ or second support post members in use. For example, a support foot can be welded, bolted or integrally formed with an end of the support post or first and/ or second support post members. Alternatively, the support foot can be rotatably or movably mounted to the support post, the first and/or second support post members. For example, the support foot can be movably or rotatably mounted via a screw thread mechanism, rotatable shaft, ball and socket joint and/ or the like. In one embodiment resilient biasing means are provided on or associated with the support foot to resiliently bias the support foot outwardly of the support post, the first and/or second support post member in use. Preferably the resilient biasing means includes any or any combination of one or more urethane members, rubber members, springs, disc springs, sprung material, sprung members and/or the like. Preferably one or more inwardly protruding tabs are provided on in a cavity within the support post, the first and/or second support post members to maintain the resilient biasing means in place in the post or members in use. Further preferably said one or more inwardly protruding tabs are integrally formed with the support post, the first and/or second support post members, such as for example, in the form of one or more cut out portions bent inwardly of the post or member(s).

In a preferred embodiment the resilient biasing means is in the form of one or more disc springs or urethane members. The number of disc springs or urethane members can be adjusted as required to allow a required level of resilient force to be applied to the support foot in use.

In one embodiment there is provided a tether device suitable for securing a tool or connecting to a tool via a tether or lanyard in use, said device including at least a first linear member, wherein at least a part of said linear member is extendible such that the distal end or ends of said linear member engages directly or indirectly with at least one suitable surface in use, said device including locking means to lock or hold one or more linear members and/ or extendible part thereof in a required relative position substantially on or between said suitable surfaces in use, characterised in that at least one attachment means is attached to or mounted on said first and/ or second extendible members, said attachment means configured to be attached to a tether member or lanyard in use.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tethering device, said device including at least a first and second telescopic members, a support foot associated with a distal end of the first and/or second telescopic members to engage with suitable a surface being supported in use, and resilient biasing means being associated with said support foot for biasing said support foot outwardly of said telescopic member, characterised in that said first and/ or second members include one or more attachment means configured or shaped to engage with or otherwise attach to a tether and/or tool in use.

In one embodiment the resilient biasing means is in the form of one or more disc springs or urethan members. Preferably a stack of disc springs or urethane members are used. The disc springs or urethane members are typically stacked inside the telescopic support post member(s). Adjustment of the number of disc springs or urethane members typically allows adjustment of the biasing force provided by the same in use.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tethering system, including an extendible device, said device including at least a first and second telescopic members, the distal end or ends of said first and/ or second members engaging directly or indirectly with a suitable surface or surfaces, and locking means being provided between said at least first and second telescopic members to lock the members in a required relative position in use, characterised in that at least one of the telescopic members includes an attachment means.

Typically the attachment means includes a collar portion fitted around at least one telescopic member. Further typically the attachment means includes one or more protrusions and/ or has one or more apertures defined therein to which a tool and/ or tether can be secured.

Preferably the device is in the form of an elongate post and a linkage assembly links a tool or tether for a tool to the first and/ or second telescopic member.

Preferably the linkage assembly includes a substantially D-, C- shaped or G-shaped linkages. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a tethering system for tethering a tool, said tethering system including at least one support post, said method including the step of moving the at least one support post between an extended or in-use position, wherein at least one end of the support post is arranged to engage, directly or indirectly, with at least one surface in use, and a retracted or out-of-use position, wherein the at least one support post is movable relative to said at least one surface in use, characterised in that attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support post and said attachment means are arranged so as to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment means for use with a tethering system according to claim 1. Preferably the attachment means is in the form of a tether device.

Preferably the tool is a construction tool, a hand tool, a hand held item and/or the like.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tool tether system and/ or device, and a method of using a tool tether system and/ or device. Due to the simplicity of construction of the tethering system of the present invention, the device is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and use. In addition, the device can be made of metal and/ or substantially entirely galvanised in one example since there is no requirement for bolted or welded parts. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a tether support post according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of an attachment means or tether device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3a-3b are detailed perspective views of locking means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figures 4a and 4b show views of one embodiment of the device in use.

Referring to figures 1 there is illustrated a tether system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tether system includes a tether support post 2 for locating between a floor and a ceiling of a building on a construction site. Attachment means in the form of a tether device 1 are provided on the support post 2 to allow one or more tools to be detachably attached to the same directly or via a tether in use. The tether (not shown) can be connected to the post 2 via the tether device 1 and to a tool in use and prevents the tool from falling to the ground when in position and connected to the support post. The support post 2 includes a first outer telescopic support post member 4 and a second inner telescopic support post member 6. Both members 4, 6 are substantially linear and elongate in form in this example. The members 4, 6 are also hollow in this example and are generally cylindrical in shape so as to allow inner member 6 to be slidably movable, retracted and/ or extendible, within outer member 4 in a longitudinal direction in use. However, it will be appreciated that the support post 2, the first and/or second support post members can have any cross sectional shape as required.

The outer support post member 4 has slightly larger diameter or dimensions than inner support post member 6 to allow inner member 6 to be slidably movable or otherwise telescopically movable in outer member 4 in use.

Outer support post member 4 has a support foot 8 joined to a distal end 10 thereof. In this example the support foot 8 is joined to the member via an attachment shaft (not shown), although other attachment mechanisms could be used. In this embodiment shaft is welded to outer support post member 4 and foot 8 is freely rotatable on the shaft.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tether device 1 is located on the outer attachment support post member 4. However, it could be attached to either support member if required.

The tether device 1 is in the form of an attachment collar 12 secured to the outside of the support post member 4. In this example, the collar 12 extends around the circumference of the outer support post member 4 and includes a number of protruding members 5 protruding outwardly of the same. A ring or aperture 13 is defined in the protruding member 5 to allow a clip or lanyard to be attached to the same in use. The protruding member 5 is arranged relative to the collar 12 to form an upwardly protruding hook like element with respect to the support post 2. At least part of the aperture or ring 13 faces the post 2 and is a spaced distance from the same. At least part of the protruding member 5 is parallel to substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support post 2.

Securing means in the form of a nut and bolt 7 can be used to secure the tether device to the support post in use. However, any securing mechanism could be used. The tether device could also be integrally formed with the support post if required.

Figures 2a and 2b show the above arrangement more closely wherein the collar 12 is rotatably mounted to the outer support post member 4 such that the collar 12 and rings/apertures 13 can rotate or spin around the outside of the support post member 4. This ensures that if a worker moves to another part of the site the tether does not become tangled around the support post members 4, 6 as the collar 12 and rings 13 can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the support post 2. This movement is shown as arrows pointing in clockwise and anticlockwise directions A and B in figure 2.

Inner member 6 has a support foot 14 joined to a distal end 16 thereof and resilient biasing means are associated with the same to resiliently bias the support post 14 in an outwardly direction of the support post member 6 in use. This mechanism will be described in more detail below. The skilled person will appreciate that the arrangement below is optional and any type of support foot arrangement could be used.

Support foot 8 of outer support post member 4 is typically located on a floor on a level of the building being constructed and support foot 14 of inner support post member 6 is typically moved into engagement with the ceiling directly above the floor on which foot 8 is located. The inner support post member 6 is telescoped a required distance relative to outer support post member 4 to allow the height of the support post 2 to be adjusted to fit between the floor and ceiling. When the post is correctly positioned, the longitudinal axis of the support post member is typically vertical or substantially vertical in orientation.

Locking means 20 are provided for locking inner support post member 6 relative to outer support post member 4 in the required position. More particularly, locking means 20 includes actuating means in the form of a bracket assembly 22, an actuating handle 24, and a locking portion 26 which is movable by the actuating handle 24 from a first unlocked position to a second locked position, as will be described in more detail below. A further safety lock (not shown) can optionally be provided which further secures handle 24 in the second locked position and is releasable therefrom with the handle 24 in the first unlocked position.

The locking portion 26 is in the form of a plate, having an aperture defined therethrough to allow locking plate 26 to be slidably movable longitudinally of inner telescopic support post member 6. More particularly, locking plate 26 is located between end of outer telescopic support post member 4 and the end of the inner support post member. The movement of the locking plate to an angle acute to a transverse or horizontal plane of the support post members ensures that they are locked in a required position in use. This locked arrangement is shown in close detail in figures 3a-3c.

Also shown in figures 3b and 3c is an additional or second tether point or collar 28 located just below the locking means on the outer support post member 4. In this example the upper collar 28 is not rotatable. The rings 13 on the upper tether collar are used to tether tools that may be used when working on the ceiling or roof of the construction for example. Turning now to figures 4a and 4b where there is illustrated the tethering system in use when fixed or locked between a ceiling slab 30 and floor slab 32 of a building construction. The support post 2 extends telescopically as described previously such that the end 16 of the inner support post member 6 is in contact with the ceiling and the outer support post member 4 is in contact with the floor 32. The support post members are then locked in position using the locking plate 26 by urging the same out of a horizontal plane and securing the handle 24 in that position. Shown in this example is a 3M® tether 34 connected to the handle of a drill. The skilled person will appreciate that any suitable tether could be used and need not be the coiled type shown engaged with the lower collar 12 shown in the current example.

The attachment means or tether device of the present invention can be formed from any suitable material and can be any suitable size and/ or shape. In a preferred embodiment the device is formed from steel and further preferably galvanised steel.

Claims

1. A tethering system for tethering a tool in use, said tethering system including at least one support post, said at least one support post movable between an extended or in-use position, wherein at least one end of the support post is arranged to engage, directly or indirectly, with at least one surface in use, and a retracted or out-of-use position, wherein the at least one support post is movable relative to said at least one surface in use, characterised in that attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support post, and said attachment means are arranged so as to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use.

2. The tethering system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is or includes a collar, sleeve member, semi-circular member or members, and/or annular member located around at least part of the at least one support post.

3. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more protrusions, linkages, a linkage assembly, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures arranged to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use.

4. The tethering system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more apertures, eyelets, loops, rings, linkages and/or linkage assembly are O-shaped, D-shaped, C-shaped, G- shaped, substantially O-shaped, substantially D-shaped, substantially C-shaped and/or substantially G shaped in form.

5. The tethering system according to claim 3 wherein two or more protrusions, linkages, linkage assemblies, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures arranged to allow two or more tools or tethers to be attached to the same in use and said two or more protrusions, linkages, linkage assemblies, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures are arranged a spaced distance apart from each other on the attachment means.

6. The tethering system according to claim 5, wherein the two or more protrusions, linkages, a linkage assembly, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures are a spaced distance apart with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post and/or are arranged a spaced distance apart around a circumference or outer perimeter of the at least one support post.

7. The tethering system according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the two or more protrusions, linkages, linkage assemblies, loops, rings, hooks, eyelets, clips and/or apertures are arranged to face or protrude in different directions and/ or orientations with respect to each other.

8. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means are integrally formed with at least part of the at least one support post.

9. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means are attached or detachably attached to at least part of the at least one support post via securing means.

10. The tethering system according to claim 9, wherein the securing means is any or any combination of welding, adhesive, friction fit, one or more nuts, bolts, clips, bracket members, screws, ties or inter-engaging members.

11. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means are movably or rotatably mounted on the at least one support post.

12. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein two or more attachment means are provided on the at least one support post, said two or more attachment means arranged a spaced distance apart from each other.

13. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tether includes a clip and/ or lanyard for detachable attachment to the attachment means of the tethering system.

14. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support post includes a first support post member and at least a second support post member telescopically mounted in said first support post member, thereby allowing the at least one support post to be moved between the extended or in-use position and the retracted or out-of-use position.

15. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support post, the first support post member and/or the at least second support post member are linear or substantially linear and/ or elongate or substantially elongate in form.

16. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein locking means are provided to lock the at least one support post, the first and/ or second support post members in a required position in use.

17. The tethering system according to claim 16, wherein the locking means includes a locking portion movably mounted on the at least one support post, the first or at least second support post members, and actuating means arranged to move said locking portion between a first unlocked position, wherein said locking portion is movable relative to said at least one support post, the first or at least second support post member, and a second locked position, wherein said locking portion engages with said at least one support post, the first or at least second support post member to lock the post or post members in a required position in use.

18. The tethering system according to claim 17, wherein the locking portion is movable or slidably movable along an axis parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one support post, the first or at least second support post member.

19. The tethering system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the locking portion is in the form of a plate with an aperture defined therethrough, one or more edges of the plate defining the aperture engaging with the at least one support post, the first or at least second support post member in the second locked position.

20. The tethering system according to claim 17 wherein the locking portion is provided on or associated with one of the first or second support post members and the actuating means is provided on or associated with the other of the first or second support members.

21. The tethering system according to any of claims 17- 20 wherein the actuating means includes a bracket assembly to which an actuating handle portion is movably mounted, the actuating handle portion actuates movement of the locking portion between the locked and unlocked positions in use.

22. The tethering system according to claim 21 wherein the actuating handle portion is arranged so as to move from a position wherein it is transverse or substantially transverse to the support post, the first support post member or the at least second support post member in the first unlocked position, to a position wherein it is parallel, substantially parallel or at a reduced acute angle with respect to the support post, the first support post member or the at least second support post member in the second locked position.

23. The tethering system according to claims 21 or 22, wherein the actuating handle portion is provided with a cam or curved surface to angle or lock the locking portion when in the second locked position in use.

24. The tethering system according to claim 21, wherein the bracket assembly includes a stop means to limit movement of the locking portion of said support post, the first support post member or the at least second support post member in use.

25. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein a further safety lock is provided to lock the locking means or the actuating means in the second locked position in use.

26. The tethering system according to any preceding claim, wherein a support foot is provided at an end or distal end of the support post, the first support post member or the at least second support post member to engage with one or more suitable surfaces in use.

27. The tethering system according to claim 26, wherein resilient biasing means are provided on or associated with the support foot to resiliently bias the support foot outwardly of the support post, the first support post member or the at least second support post member.

28. The tethering system according to claim 27, wherein the resilient biasing means includes any or any combination of one or more urethane members, rubber members, springs, disc springs, sprung members.

29. A method of using a tethering system for tethering a tool, said tethering system including at least one support post, said method including the step of moving the at least one support post between an extended or in-use position, wherein at least one end of the support post is arranged to engage, directly or indirectly, with at least one surface in use, and a retracted or out-of-use position, wherein the at least one support post is movable relative to said at least one surface in use, characterised in that attachment means are provided on or associated with the at least one support post and said attachment means are arranged so as to allow a tool or tether to be attached to the same in use.

30. Attachment means for use with the tethering system according to claim 1.