Tool retention device

Abstract

The present invention comprises a retention strap device which retains a tool or object in the vicinity of the user. The invention comprises an elastic cord formed into a loop, with both ends of the cord terminating in a terminal clip. Disposed along the cord, are first and second slide stops, which allow the user to place and cinch a loop around the tool for securely retaining the tool and to place and cinch a second loop around the wrist of the user or other attachment position on or near the user's person.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/582,417 filed Jun. 24, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of tools, and more particularly to an apparatus for securing tools or other hand held objects to an individual's person in a marine or waterborne environment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Persons utilizing tools in the construction of physical objects or their repair often, and unintentionally, drop the tool to the ground. If they are using the tool at ground level, simply reaching down and retrieving the tool is of little significance. However, if they are working at elevated heights or in a marine environment, dropping a tool may require the expenditure of a large amount of effort and time to retrieve the tool so they may commence working with the tool again. Moreover, if the tool is dropped while a person is working on a water surface, the tool may fall into the water and sink, never to be recovered.

Tools with Rotational attributes are known in the art, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,213 (Evans) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,516 (Sowry et al.). However, tools which incorporate buoyant materials maybe unsuitable in size or configuration for accomplishing the purpose contemplated by the user. Likewise, buoyant tools must be specially manufactured and are not capable of being interchanged with other non-buoyant tools which are previously owned by a user. On a larger scale, the problem of undesired release of hand tools has been recognized as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,156 (Braun) and U.S. Pat. No. 774,143 (Adams). These devices require special clips for attachment of the tool or bands to attach the tool to the user's wrist. However, these devices do not embody the construction, adjustability or versatility contemplated by the invention disclosed herein. Thus, a need exists for an apparatus which retains a tool or object on or near the person of the user which is simple to connect to a tool or an object of various dimensions and is easily attached to the user or the user's person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a retention strap which retains a tool or object in the vicinity of the user. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, the invention comprises an elastic cord formed into a loop, with both ends of the cord terminating in a terminal clip. Disposed along the cord, are first and second slide stops, which allow the user to place and cinch a loop around the tool and to place and cinch a second loop around the wrist of the user or other attachment position on or near the user's person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the retention strap invention disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a close-up, perspective view of the first and second slide stops; and,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retention strap invention shown attached to a hand tool and secured around the wrist of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the retention strap device 10 and related components in perspective detail. The retention strap device 10 consists of cord 12, first slide stop 14, second slide stop 16 and terminal clip 18. Cord 12 consists of a length of flexible, shock resistant material that in a preferred embodiment consists of elastic, deformable material such as rubber cord contained within a nylon abrasion resistant sheathing. Such cord material is known in the art and is commonly referred to as “bungee cord” or “shock cord” among other market names. In a preferred embodiment, the cord 12 is resistant to physical and mechanical weathering forces and is resistant to abrasion and repeated ultraviolet light exposure, which is common when used in a marine environment. Different lengths of cord may be used for specific applications, but in the preferred embodiment measures twelve to eighteen inches in total length. Cord 12 is formed into a single loop and threaded through a first slide stop 14 and second slide stop 16. The two free ends of cord 12 are then knotted and fixed into terminal clip 18. Terminal clip 18 provides sufficient clamping force so that cord 12 is constantly fixed in a loop. Terminal clip 18 may be fabricated from metal, plastic, ceramic, and wood or polymer materials. Terminal clip 18, and other cord fastening means, are well known in the art and may be selected and implemented by the user depending on the environment or application in which the invention disclosed herein shall be utilized.

Turning to FIG. 2, a close-up of the first slide stop 14 and second slide stop 16 are depicted in assembled position on cord 12. First slide stop 14 and second slide stop 16 are preformed, preferably from shock and weather resistant plastic, with a sufficient preformed passageway therein through which cord 12 may be threaded. First slide stop 14 may be moved along cord 12 by depressing slide button 15. Similarly, second slide stop 16 may be moved along cord 12 by depressing slide button 17. Once the slide stops are in the desired position, the user removes pressure from slide buttons 15, 17 and the slide stops 14, 16 then supply sufficient frictional force to keep the slide stops in a secure, fixed position. Slide stops 14 and 16 may be fabricated from metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials.

As shown in FIG. 2, two “styles” of preformed slide stops are shown for illustrative purposes, as slide stops and other frictional stops are well known in the art and maybe used interchangeably for the purposes of the invention disclosed herein. In the preferred embodiment, slide stop 14 is shown with two preformed passageways formed therein of sufficient diameter so as to allow for the passage of one free end of the cord 12 there through. As a result, an adjustable loop is capable of being formed whereby the user may expand or contract said loop for the retention of a tool or object of various dimensions. This specific design of slide stop 14 prevents the strands of cord from becoming twisted about the tool or object being retained and, more importantly, prevents the slide stop 14 from sliding off the end of cord 12 regardless of whether or not a tool or object is being secured. Slide stop 16 is shown with a single passageway wherein both strands of the cord may pass through the single passageway. With this embodiment, a user may twist the cord to shorten the length of loop which may be created by moving the slide stop along the cord lengths.

FIG. 3 shows the retention strap invention 10 in use for retaining a hand tool in proximity to the user. The user adjusts the first slide stop 14 to form a loop of diameter sufficient to insert a hand tool 22, a wrench as shown for example, or any other object to be retained and then readjusts the first slide stop to secure the tool 22. The user then adjusts the second slide stop 16 to form a loop large enough for the user's hand/wrist 20 to pass through and then readjusts the second slide stop 16 to comfortably secure the loop around the user's hand/wrist 20. Thereafter, once the user begins working with the wrench 22, if the user accidentally or intentionally loses his or her grip on the wrench 22, wrench 22 is retained in close proximity to the user instead of falling into the water or to the ground, depending on the environment in which the user is working. Wrench 22 is used for illustrative purposes and other tools or objects may be secured using the invention disclosed herein as discussed in the foregoing description.

The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawing are offered by way of illustration only and not as limitations. Other applications and variations of the invention disclosed herein will become evident to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A tool retention strap, comprising:

a cord of fixed length formed into a loop;

a first slide stop slidably connected on said loop; and, a terminal clip fixed to at least one free end of the cord.

2. The strap of claim 1 wherein the cord is comprised of an elastic material.

3. The strap of claim 1 wherein the cord is fabricated from at least one of rubber, leather, nylon, polymer or woven materials.

4. The strap of claim 1 further comprising a second slide stop slidably connected on said loop.

5. The strap of claim 1 wherein the first slide stop is made of at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials.

6. The strap of claim 1 wherein the second slide stop is made of at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials.

7. The strap of claim 1 wherein the terminal clips is made of at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials.

8. The strap of claim 4 wherein the second slide stop is made of at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials

9. A tool retention strap, comprising:

a cord of fixed length formed into at least one loop;

a first slide stop in contact with said cord wherein the slide stop is slidable on said cord and producing sufficient friction along the cord for tightening or un-tightening the loop around a tool;

a second slide stop in contact with said cord wherein the second slide stop is slidable on said cord and producing sufficient friction along the cord for tightening or un-tightening the loop around the user's wrist.

10. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein at least one free end of the cord is knotted and secured by a terminal clip.

11. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein the cord is comprised of an elastic material.

12. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein the cord is fabricated from at least one of at least one of rubber, leather, nylon, polymer or woven materials.

13. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein the first slide stop is fabricated from at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials rubber, plastic, polymer or metallic material.

14. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein the second slide stop is fabricated from at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials rubber, plastic, polymer or metallic material.

15. The tool retention strap of claim 9 wherein the terminal clip is fabricated from at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood or polymer materials rubber, plastic, polymer or metallic material.