Abstract:
An attachment assembly is provided to secure an object to a lanyard. The attachment assembly is capable of securing objects of different sizes and weights to the lanyard.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the non-provisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. App. No. 61/235,938 filed Aug. 21, 2009 and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to clamp assemblies used to secure a tool to a lanyard. In one aspect, the clamp assembly includes a band which allows for attachment of the clamp assembly to tools of varying sizes. In another aspect, the clamp assembly band allows for attachment to substantially heavy hand-tools. 
         [0003]    Dropped objects (such as tools) are a concern at workplaces. Typically, workers below ongoing steel erection activities (other than hoisting) must wear head protection. If head protection is not worn, then work below steel erection activities is not permitted. The requirement for head protection is self-evident. Even a small or light tool can create a safety hazard if dropped. Current tool lanyards are designed for tools and equipment lighter than 10 pounds (˜4.5 kg). However, many tools can weigh more than 10 lbs. Hence, it would be desirable to provide tool lanyards that can accommodate heavier tools. 
         [0004]    Further, the forces generated by a dropped tool can be extremely high. For example, a 25 lb (11.3 kg) tool when dropped 6 feet (1.8 m) on an 0.375″ wire rope can produce a peak force of 880 lbs (˜400 kg) at the anchor (or connection) point; and a 35 lb tool dropped 6.5° (˜2 m) can produce a peak force of 1587 lbs (˜720 kg) at the anchor point. Secondary resonance (i.e., rebound) peaks were almost 90% of the initial peak. Thus, it would be desirable to use a lanyard that provides for energy absorption and a reduction of rebound or secondary rebound. 
         [0005]    Additionally, known attachment assemblies generally do not allow for attachment to tools of various shapes or to tools with different diameters or shapes. This requires the use of tool-specific attachments, which can be cumbersome. Hence, it would be desirable to provide an attachment assembly which can be used with a broad variety of tools. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    Briefly stated, an attachment assembly is provided for securing an object to a lanyard. Generally, the attachment assembly comprises a stationary member a movable member, and an adjustment mechanism to move the movable member relative to the stationary member. One of the stationary and movable members defining an object or tool receiving surface. The tool receiving surface can be contoured, and can, for example define a curve or a notch (or both). A band having opposed ends and a mid-section is secured either the movable member or the stationary member to form a loop forwardly of the tool receiving surface. 
         [0007]    In one illustrative embodiment, the tool receiving surface is on a forward surface of the stationary member and the band is secured to the movable member. In this embodiment, the stationary member comprises a body and the movable member comprises a bracket. The body is hollow and has a side surface, a first end defining the tool receiving surface or end, a send closed end opposite the tool receiving end. The bracket is received within the body and being movable axially relative to the body. The adjustment mechanism or means comprises a threaded adjusting shaft extending through the closed end of the body and engaging the bracket. The attachment assembly includes an attachment point for securing the attachment assembly to a lanyard. The tool receiving surface can define first and second contours which face different directions and which are differently shaped. For example, one of the contours can define a curve and the other can define a notch. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one aspect of the attachment assembly, the bracket comprises an end wall and a pair of opposed arms extending forwardly from the end wall. The arms each have a pair of generally parallel slots, and the band is threaded through the slots to secure the band to the bracket. The bracket is sized relative to the body such that a gap is formed between outer surfaces of the bracket arms and an inner surface of the body. The band is threaded through the bracket arms slots, such that band extends along at least a portion of the outer surface of the bracket arms. The band has a width approximately equal to the width of the gap, such that a frictional engagement exists between the band and the body inner wall and between the band and the bracket arm. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a further aspect of the attachment assembly, a pair of spaced apart pins extending across the body. The pins are generally parallel to the bracket arms and are spaced inwardly from the bracket arms. The band extends across inner surfaces of the pins, such that the loop has a generally tear-shaped appearance. The pins can be defined by arms of a U-bolt, in which case, the U-bolt defines the point of attachment. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment, the tool receiving surface is on a forward surface of the movable member and the band is secured to the stationary member. In this embodiment, the stationary member comprises a body and the movable member comprises a shoe. The body has side surfaces, an upper surface, a back surface, a bottom surface, and a front surface. A lever is pivotally mounted on the body to be movable between a locking position and a releasing position. The lever has a generally rounded bottom end with ridges extending at least partially across the bottom end. The lever is mounted to the body to define a gap between the lever and the body top surface through which the band passes. When the lever is in the locking position the ridges generally face the body top surface and engage the band. When the lever it is in the releasing position the ridges do not generally face the body top surface and do not engage the band. Further, the gap is increased in size slightly to enable the band to be moved through the gap. A biasing member biases the lever to the lever&#39;s locking position. In this embodiment, the attachment point comprises an ear extending from the body; the ear defining the attachment point. 
         [0011]    In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism or means comprises a threaded adjustment shaft which extends through the body to be received in the shoe. The adjustment shaft can be fixed to the shoe so that it can rotate relative to the shoe, but cannot move axially relative to the shoe. In this instance, the body includes a threaded opening through which the shaft extends. In accordance with one aspect of this embodiment, the shoe comprises a pair of opposed slots on opposite sides of the tool receiving surface; the band being threaded through the slots of the shoe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of an attachment assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the attachment assembly with a tool held in place in the attachment assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the attachment assembly taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is bottom plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the attachment assembly with the tool; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective exploded view of a second illustrative embodiment of the attachment assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the attachment assembly of  FIG. 5  in an assembled state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the attachment assembly taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6   
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an end elevational view of the attachment assembly of  FIG. 5  in an assembled state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the attachment assembly taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the attachment assembly of  FIG. 5  in an assembled state; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11A-D  show an alternative attachment assembly mounted on different tools; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the attachment assembly of  FIGS. 11A-D  shown mounted on a hammer handle; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a fourth alternative attachment assembly for use with tools having, or which can have, holes formed therein. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding structures throughout the various figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0027]    A first illustrative embodiment of an attachment assembly  10  which is used to connect a tool to a lanyard L is shown generally in  FIGS. 1-4 . The attachment assembly  10  a body  12 . The body  12  comprises a hollow tube which is open at its opposite ends. The body  12  is illustratively shown to be generally rectangular in side elevation and generally square in top plan. The body  12  comprises a first pair of opposed walls  14  and a second pair of opposed walls  16 . At a first, or tool engaging end, of the body  12 , wall  14  is provided with a curved edge  14   a  and wall  16  is provided with a generally V-shaped cutout  16   a . At the opposite, second, end of the body  12 , the wall edges are generally flat. The walls  16  are each provided with a pair of opposed holes  18 . Although not shown, similar pairs of holes could be provided in the opposed walls  14 . The two shapes for the tool engaging end of the body  12  enable the attachment assembly  10  to be used with a broader variety of tools. For example, tools, such as screwdrivers, which have narrow diameter shafts, can be received across the walls  16  and be received in the V-shaped cutout  16   a . On the other hand, tools, such as hammers, which have a wider handle, can be received across the walls  14  to be received on the curved edge  14   a  of the walls  14 . 
         [0028]    A cap  20  is received on the body  12  second end of the body. The cap  20  includes an end wall  22  and side walls  24 . The end wall  22  and side walls  24  are sized and shaped, such that the cap  20  will snuggly fit over the end of the body  12 . A aperture  26  is formed in the end wall. The aperture  26  is shown to be generally centered relative to the cap end wall  22 . An end member  28  is received on the outer surface of the cap end wall  22 . The end member  28  has a central post  30  ( FIG. 3 ) with lugs ( FIG. 4 ) extending radially from opposite sides of the post  30 . A flange or base  34  surrounds the post  30 . A hole  36  extends through the post  30  and is aligned with the aperture  26  in the cover end wall  22 . Preferably, the hole  36  is internally threaded. Although the end member  28  is shown as a separate member, the end member  28  could be incorporated into the cap  20 , such that the cap  20  and end member  28  form a one-piece element. 
         [0029]    A bracket  40  is received in the body  12 . The bracket  40  comprises an end wall  42  and opposed arms  44 . The bracket  40  is sized such that it can be received in the body with the walls  44  adjacent either the body walls  14  or the body walls  16 . The bracket  40  is sized such that when the bracket  40  is received in the body  12 , there is a slight gap between bracket arms  44  and the body walls  12  or  14  (depending on the orientation of the bracket  40  in the body  12 ). The bracket end wall  42  is provided with an aperture  46  which is generally centered relative to the end wall  42 . The aperture  46  is also aligned with the aperture  26  in the body cap end wall  22  and the hole  36  in the end member post  30 . The bracket arms  44  include spaced apart slots  46 ,  48 . 
         [0030]    A threaded adjusting shaft  50  extends through the bracket opening  46 , the cap end wall aperture  26 , and the end member hole  36 . The shaft  50  includes having a head  52  which is adjacent a top surface (with reference to  FIG. 3 ) of the bracket end wall  42 . A knob  54  is fixed to the end of the shaft  50  opposite the head  52 . The knob  54  is fixed to the shaft  50 , such that the shaft  50  can be rotated by rotation of the knob  54 . As noted, the hole  36  in the end member post  30  is threaded. Thus, by rotating the shaft, the position of the bracket  40  in the body  12  can be altered. By rotating the shaft  30  in one direction, the bracket  40  can be brought closer to the cap  20 , and by rotating the shaft  50  in the opposite direction, the bracket  40  can be moved away from the cap  20 . Although the end member hole  36  is described to be threaded, the hole  46  in the bracket end wall  42  could be threaded instead (or the bracket end wall could otherwise engage the threads on the shaft  50 ). In this case, rotation of the shaft  50  will move the bracket along the shaft  50  toward or away from the body cap  20  (depending on the direction of rotation shaft  50 . Additionally, although the shaft  50  is provided with a head  52 , the head could be replaced with a cotter pin, lock ring or the like which will serve to prevent the bracket  40  from coming off the shaft  50 . Hence, the head (or its replacement) operates as a stop or retainer. 
         [0031]    A flexible strap or band  60  is threaded through the two slots  46 ,  48  on each of the bracket arms  44 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the strap extends through the lower slot  46  from the inside of the bracket, extends along the outer surface of the bracket arm  44 , and then in inserted through the upper slot  48 . As noted above, the bracket is sized to form a gap between the bracket arm and the inner surface of the body wall. This gap is approximately equal to the width of the band  60 , such that the band  60  will be sandwiched between the bracket arm  44  and the inner surface of the body wall when the attachment assembly is assembled, as seen in  FIG. 3 . The band or strap extends from the tool receiving end of the body  12  to form a loop  62  though which a tool handle or tool shaft extends. The strap or band  60  can be made from a rubberized web or other similar flexible material which will also frictionally engage the bracket arms  44  and inner surfaces of the body wall  12 . Further, the flexibility of the strap or band  60  allows for the strap to accommodate and engage irregularly shaped tool shafts, handles or the like. 
         [0032]    Finally, the attachment assembly includes a U-bolt  70  having U-bolt arms  72  which extend through the holes  18  of the body  12 . The U-bolt  70  can be held in place by cotter-pins  72 , lock rings, or the like which engage a portion of the U-bolt arms  74  extending out the opposite wall, as seen in  FIG. 2 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the U-bolt arms  74  are generally parallel to the bracket arms  46  and are spaced inwardly relative to the bracket arms  46 . The band  60  passes across the inner surfaces of the U-bolt arms  74 . This pulls the opposite sides of the band  60  together, to give the loop  62  a more tear-shaped appearance, rather than a generally U-shaped appearance. By bringing the opposite sides of the band loop together, the band  60  engages a greater amount of the surface of the tool handle H. A clip  76 , such as a carabiner clip, serves as an attachment point to attach the attachment assembly  10  to a lanyard. The U-bolt  70  could be replaced with pins or rods which extend across the body  12 , to serve the same function as the U-bolt arms  74 . This, however, would necessitate the addition of an attachment point on the body  12  for the clip  76 , such that the body  12  can be secured to a lanyard. 
         [0033]    In use, the shaft  50  is rotated to move the bracket  40  in the body so that the band loop will be large enough to pass the tool handle H through the loop  62 . With the tool handle positioned relative to the loop  62 , the shaft is rotated to draw the bracket  40  towards the cap  20  to thereby decrease the amount of the loop extending from the body  12 , and to draw the band against the tool handle H. The handle will thus be secured between the edge of the body  12  and the band  60 . Because the band  60  is flexible, and due to the tear-dropped shape of the band loop, the band will engage more than 180° of the handle surface, and will intimately contact the handle along the full extent of the engagement with the handle. Further, because the band has a high coefficient of friction, the handle will not be able to slide easily relative to the band. Additionally, the frictional engagement of the band  60  with the bracket and the body inner surface will further prevent the bracket  40  from moving relative to the body  12 . 
         [0034]    The clip  76  is preferably attached to a force attenuating lanyard. A preferred lanyard is available from Reliance Industries of Wheatridge, Colo. under Product No. 799955. 
         [0035]    A second illustrative embodiment of an attachment assembly is shown in  FIGS. 5-10 . The attachment assembly  110  includes a body assembly  111  comprised of a block  112  and a tool receiving portion  150 . The block  112  is shown to be generally square and has front and back surfaces  114 , side surfaces  116 , a top surface  118  and a bottom surface  120 . Ears  122  extend outwardly from the side surfaces  116  and flanges  124  extend upwardly from opposite sides of the top surface  118 . As seen, the flanges  124  are, in effect, a continuation of the side surfaces  116 . The ears  122  each have a hole  128  to receive a carabiner clip, or the like, to connect the attachment assembly to a lanyard. A small lip  132  having a forwardly sloping front surface is formed at the back of the top surface  118 . A lower slot  134  extends rearwardly from the front surface  114 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the slot  134  does not extend all the way through the block  112 , and thus is a blind slot. If desired, the slot  134  could extend through the block  112 . Additionally, a hole  136  extends rearwardly from the front surface  114  of the body above the slot  134 . The hole  136  does not extend all the way through the block  112 . However, a threaded hole  137  extends forwardly from the back surface  114  of the body  112  to the hole  136 . 
         [0036]    A lever  140  is mounted on the body between the flanges  124 . The lever has sloping top and bottom surfaces  141  which expand apart from each other from a front of the lever to a rounded bottom or back end  142 . The lever additionally has a flat surface  143  between the bottom surface  141  and the rounded back end  142 . The back end  142  has elongate ridges or teeth  144  which extend across the width of the bottom end  142 . A through hole  146  extends through the lever at the rounded bottom end  142 . A pin  148  extends through the lever hole  146  and the holes  130  in the flanges  124 . The pin  148  defines an axis around which the lever pivots. When the lever  140  is mounted between the body flanges  124 , the lever bottom end  124  generally faces the sloped surface  132 , and a small gap is formed between the bottom end of the lever and the sloped surface  132 . The lever  140  is pivotal between a raised position (which is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 ) and a lowered position. In the lowered position, the lever surface  143  is generally parallel to the sloped surface of the lip  132  on the surface  118  of the body  112 . When the lever is pivoted to its lowered position, the size of the gap between the lever and the lip increases slightly. 
         [0037]    A biasing element  147  is provided to bias the lever to its raised position. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the lever  140  is provided with a second hole  147  near the front of the lever. The hole  149  can extend through the lever. The biasing element comprising a torsion spring having a lower leg  147   a  which rests against the body surface  118 , a coil  147   b  through which the pin  148  extends, and a generally L-shaped arm  147   c , the end of which extends into the hole  149  at the forward end of the lever  140 . Although a torsion spring is disclosed to be used as the biasing element, the biasing element can be any element which will bias the lever to its raised position from its lowered position. Hence, the biasing element could also be an appropriately positioned coil spring or leaf spring, or even a foam member. 
         [0038]    A shoe  150  includes a shoe body  152  having generally straight top and bottom surfaces  154 , generally straight side surfaces  156 , a back surface  158 , and a generally V-shaped front surface  160 . The front surface  160  is comprised of two inwardly sloping surfaces  160   a,b  which slope inwardly from the body side walls  152  and meet at the approximate center of the shoe body  152 . The V-shaped front surface  160  receives the tool or other item to be connected to the lanyard when the attachment assembly  110  is in use. Although shown to be V-shaped, the tool receiving surface  160  could be curved, and the curve could be a constant curve (i.e., defining a single radius) or a progressive curve (which changes in radius along the curve). 
         [0039]    A post  162  extends rearwardly from the body back surface  158 . The post  162  has a back end  162   a  and a hole  164  extending forwardly from the post back surface  162   a . A small transverse hole  163  extends across the post  162  and through the hole  164 . The hole  163  is spaced rearwardly slightly from the back surface  158  of the shoe body  152  The post  162  is sized and shaped to be received in the hole  136  extending through the attachment assembly block  112 . The post  162  and hole  136  are shaped complementarily to each other. Further, the post  162  and hole  136  are preferably shaped to prevent the shoe  150  from rotating relative to the attachment assembly block  112 . To this end, the post  162  and hole  136  are each shaped to define a circle with ears extending from opposite sides of the circle. As can be appreciated, the post  162  could have almost any desired shape which will prevent rotating of the post  154  within the hole  136 . For example, the post and hole could each define a regular (or irregular) polygon. 
         [0040]    The shoe  150  additionally includes flanges  170  which extend outwardly from the shoe body walls  154 . The flanges  170  each have a sloped outer surface  172  and a channel  174 . The channel  174  is defined on an inner side by the tool body surface  154  on an outer side by a sloping wall  174   a  which is parallel to the flange outer wall  172 . The channel is open at its front and at its back, the back opening defining a slot  176 . 
         [0041]    A threaded adjusting shaft  180  is passed forwardly through the threaded hole  137  and the hole  136  in the back surface of the attachment assembly body hole  136  to be received in the hole  164  of the shoe post  162 . The adjusting shaft  180  has a circumferential groove  182  near its forward end and a handle or knob  184  at its back end. When the adjusting shaft is fully inserted in the post hole  164 , the circumferential groove  182  is aligned with the transverse hole  163  in the shoe post  162 . A locking pin  165  is inserted through the hole  163  and across the circumferential groove  182  to lock the adjusting shaft  180  relative to the shoe post  162 . As can be appreciated, the pin  165  prevents the shaft  180  from moving axially relative to the shoe post  162 , but allows for the shaft  180  to rotate relative to the shoe post. The shoe post  162  is not as deep as the body hole  136 . Thus, rotation of the knob  184  in one direction will with draw the post into the hole  136 , and thus draw the shoe  150  closer to the body  112 . Conversely, rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will more the shoe  150  away from the body  112 . As can be appreciated, as described, the shoe  150 , shaft  180  and knob  184  move forward and backward relative to the body  112  as a unit. If desired, the post hole  164  could be threaded, and the shaft  180  could be fixed in place relative to the body  112  (rather than the shoe  150 ). This would achieve the same function, i.e., adjusting the position of the shoe  150  relative to the body  112 . 
         [0042]    Lastly, the tool attachment assembly includes a flexible rubber or rubber-like strap or band  200  having opposed ends  202  and  204 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , the ends  202 ,  204  of the strap  200  are passed through the two channels  174  and through their respective slots  176  to form a loop  206  which extends forwardly of the shoe surface  160 . The strap end  202  has a pair of holes  208  formed therein. A corresponding pair of holes  210  is formed in the bottom surface of the attachment assembly block  112 . The holes  208  are sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the holes  210  which open into the slot  134  in the attachment assembly block  112 . The band end  202  is inserted into the slot  134 , and a pair of screws  212  are screwed into the holes  210  in the attachment assembly body  212  and through the holes  208  in the band. The screws  210  thus hold the band  200  in the body. The opposite end  204  of the band  200  is threaded through the gap defined by the lever  140  and the lip  132  on the upper surface  118  of the attachment assembly block  112 . 
         [0043]    To assembly the attachment assembly  110 , the band  200  can first be attached to the attachment assembly block  112 , as just noted above, and the band end  204  can then be threaded through the shoe  150 . The shoe  150  can then be locked to the attachment assembly block  112  using the locking shaft  180 , and the band end  204  can then be threaded between the lever  150  and the attachment assembly lip  132 . Alternatively, the band  200  can be threaded through the shoe  150 , the band end  202  can be secured in the attachment assembly block  112 , the shoe  150  can be secured to the block  112 , and the band end  204  can be threaded between the lever  140  and the lip  132 . The attachment assembly  110  can be assembled in any other way desired. 
         [0044]    As noted above, the lever  240  pivots about the rod  148 . When the lever is in a raised position, such as shown in  FIG. 9 , the gap between the lever and the lip  132  is reduced in size, and the ridges or teeth  144  of the lever engaging the band  200 . In this position, the band  200  is fixed in place relative to the attachment assembly body  212 . By pressing the lever forward (i.e., towards the attachment assembly body upper surface  118 , the lever ridges or teeth  144  are disengaged from the band and the size of the gap between the lever and the lip is increased. The increase in the size of the gap allows for the band to be moved relative to the attachment assembly body  212 , to increase or decrease the size of the band loop  206 . 
         [0045]    In use, position of the shoe  150  is initially adjusted such that the back surface  158  of the shoe is proximate the forward surface of the body  112 . The lever will first be pressed down, to allow for the loop to be increased in size, if necessary, to enable the handle, shaft, shank, body etc. of a tool to be passed through the loop. With the tool in place relative to the loop, and with the lever in a lowered position, the end  204  of the band  200  is pulled to reduce the size of the loop, to securely grip the tool between the band  200  and the shoe surface  260 . When the band is tight, the lever  140  is pulled up to secure the band in place, thereby securing the tool in the attachment assembly  110 . With the band manually tightened, the adjusting shaft is rotated to move the shoe  150  away from the body  112 . As can be appreciated, the band  200  is secured in place relative to the body  112 . Thus, the movement of the shoe  150  away from the body  112  will further tighten the band  200  around the tool, to even more securely grip the tool between the shoe and the band. To release the tool from the attachment assembly, the lever  200  is simply pressed to its lowered position. In this position, the gap defined by the lip and the sloped back surface  144  of the lever is slightly wider than the width of the band, and the band can be loosened relative to the tool, thereby allowing the tool to be removed from the attachment assembly  110 . 
         [0046]    As can be appreciated, the tool receiving surface  160  has a certain depth. Hence, to securely hold a tool, the portion of the tool received in the surface  160  must have a width that is at least slightly greater than the depth of the surface  160 . 
         [0047]    The two attachment assemblies  10 ,  110  operate oppositely relative to each other. In attachment assembly  10 , the body (which has the tool receiving surface or edge) is stationary and the bracket (to which the band is connected) is movable. In this embodiment, the band is tightened around the tool by moving the bracket rearwardly (i.e., in a pulling motion) to pull the bracket into the body  12  or closer to the closed end of the body  12 . In the attachment assembly  110 , on the other hand, the body  112  (to which the band is secured) is stationary and the shoe (which ahs the tool receiving surface) is movable, In this embodiment, the band is tightened around the tool by moving the shoe forwardly (i.e., by pushing) to push the shoe away from the body. 
         [0048]    It will be understood from the drawings and the description above, that the attachment assemblies  10 ,  110  are simple to operate, and can be operated without the use of tools. Further, the attachment assemblies  10 ,  110  can receive tools of varying sizes. Hence, each attachment assembly can be used to secure varying sized tools to a lanyard. In both attachment assemblies, the bands are easily replaced when or if the bands become damaged. 
         [0049]    A third attachment assembly  210  or connector is shown generally in  FIGS. 11A-D  mounted to a hammer shaft ( FIG. 11A ), a drill body ( FIG. 11B ), a ratchet ( FIG. 11C ) and a screw driver ( FIG. 11D ). The attachment assembly  210  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 12 . The attachment assembly  210  comprises a ring member  212  and a strap or band  214 . The ring member  212  comprises a base portion  216  which is shown to be generally rectangular in plan. The base portion thus includes two opposed short sides and two opposed long sides. A divider which is generally parallel to the opposed short sides extends between the opposed long sides such that the base portion defines two discrete open areas which are about equal in size. A D-ring  218  extends from the divider upwardly out of the plane of the base portion  216 . The D-ring comprises two legs which extend from the base portion at opposite ends of the divider and a connecting section which extends between the upper ends of the legs. The divider, and the D-ring legs and connector in combination, define a closed shape or ring which receives a clip, such as a carabiner clip, as shown in the drawings. The strap  214  is threaded through the base portion and extends around the tool to secure the ring member  212  to the tool. As shown, the strap extends over the divider and under the two opposed short sides of the ring member base portion  216 . However, the strap could extend over the two short sides and under the divider. The strap  214  is a flexible or bendable strap which, as noted, surrounds the tool, and can conform generally to the shape of the surface of the tool. The strap or band is fixed to itself, for example, by means of a rivet, and is thus not adjustable relative to the tool. The attachment assembly thus is fixed to the tool, and unlike the attachment assemblies  10  and  110 , stays with the tool. 
         [0050]    Lastly,  FIG. 13  shows a fourth attachment assembly  310 . Some tools either have a hole  312  or a hole can be formed in the tool. For example, in the drill shown in  FIG. 13 , a ring or hole  312  is shown at the end of the drill handle. Additionally, a hole could be formed, for example, at the end of the wooden shaft of the hammer of  FIG. 11A . The attachment assembly comprises a band or strap which forms a loop that passes through the hole  312 . The carabiner clip of the lanyard can then receive this loop. In this embodiment, the band or strap can be formed from a relative short length of steel rope, or other cord-type product which can withstand the forces imposed by a drop and which does not lengthen substantially when tensioned. 
         [0051]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoing written description, representative embodiments and accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative of the general concept of the invention and should not be construed to limit the claims in any manner. Although the attachment assemblies  10 ,  110  rely on threaded shafts to tighten the hold of the attachment assembly to the tool, the adjusting of the position of the bracket  40  of the attachment assembly  10  or the shoe  150  of the attachment assembly  110  can be achieved by other means. For example, the adjustment of the position of the bracket  40  or the shoe  150  relative to the bodies  12 ,  112  respectively, could be achieved by a ratcheting mechanism. This example is merely illustrative.