Abstract:
A tool yoke or harness system comprising a modified lanyard or neck strap and a yoke combination for a simple, secure, and portable tool holder. The support yoke provides a semi-rigid and stable platform for connecting the lanyard braids and for providing a platform to secure tools thereto. The resultant combination enables a user to comfortably and readily find whatever tool is needed, while at the same time having a stable yoke system that does not swing or move excessively. The yoke system can further comprise a cell phone pouch or pocket.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/119,479, filed Feb. 23, 2015, by Geoff Mowery and entitled “TOOL YOKE”; and, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/043,076, filed Aug. 28, 2014, by Geoff Mowery and entitled “TOOL YOKE”; and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present exemplary embodiment relates to a tool yoke or harness system. Many attempts have been made heretofore unsuccessfully to produce a workable tool yoke or harness for securing a variety of tools. The first attempts, prior to lanyards, involved pockets connected to strings. Subsequent to that, numerous tool lanyards were attempted but many drawbacks to their convenience and functionality remain. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0003]    The tool yoke or harness, as discussed herein, is a system combining a modified lanyard and a yoke for a simple, secure, stable, and portable tool holder. The yoke provides a rigid and stable platform for connecting the lanyard rope or braids and for providing a semi-rigid platform to secure tools thereto. The result is that the wearer can comfortably and readily find whatever tool is needed, while at the same time having a stable yoke component that does not swing or move excessively. 
         [0004]    A harness system is provided, comprising: a neck strap, a support yoke including a folded yoke blank having a first support yolk portion and a second support yoke portion fastened to the first support yoke portion. The support yoke further includes a pair of folded edges wrapped around opposing sections of the neck strap. A plurality of tool connection means can be attached to a surface of at least one of the support yoke portions, each connecting means including a variety of attachment mechanisms for securing associated tools to the support yoke. The support yoke, including the pair of folded edges, provides rigidity sufficient to maintain a spaced apart distance between opposing sections of the neck strap. 
         [0005]    A harness system is provided, comprising: a neck strap having a length, and a support yoke including a folded yoke blank having a pair of folded edges wrapped around opposing sections of the neck strap, wherein each of the folded edges include a height. A combined height of the pair of folded edges is from about 8% to about 33% of the length of the neck strap. A plurality of tool connection means can be attached to a surface of at least one of the support yoke portions, wherein each of the connecting means can include a variety of attachment mechanisms for securing associated tools to the support yoke. The support yoke, including the pair of folded edges, provides rigidity sufficient to maintain a spaced apart distance between opposing sections of the neck strap. The harness system can further comprise an adjustably sizeable cell phone holder attached to the support yoke. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the tool harness system; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the tool harness system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the tool harness system in the wearable position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the tool harness system in the wearable position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the unfolded yoke blank; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a first side of a first embodiment of a cell phone holder in the unfolded position shown with hook and loop connection means; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view, of a second side of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 6  in the folded position using hook and loop connection means; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of a first side of a second embodiment of a cell phone holder in the unfolded position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of a second side of the cell phone holder of  FIG. 12 ; and, 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view of a mounting or retaining pad shown attached to a garment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    All previous tool lanyards designed for fisherman et al., used a bare monofilament line, leather string, or other small diameter lanyard cord as the neck strap. In contrast to such previous designs, the present tool harness system  10  has a neck strap or lanyard  12  made of climbing rope, or other resilient soft rope, so as to cushion the wearer&#39;s neck from a weighted load. The relatively large diameter neck strap  12  provides a stable system (described hereinafter) that resists swinging or pendulum movement of the harness system  10  as the wearer moves, while also providing frictional engagement to a tool yoke blank  20  to opposing portions of the strap  12 . 
         [0021]    All previous tool lanyards have had snap swivels and/or beads directly connected and hanging loose from a monofilament line or leather string lanyard cord. This type of arrangement allows the tools to constantly shift and change position and thereby foul each other. Spacers or beads have been used in an attempt to limit tool shifting. The present disclosure provides for the tool yoke  20  that includes a frictional and slidably engaged connection between opposing sections, portions, or sides  14 ,  16  of the neck strap or lanyard  12 . The harness system  10  provides a stable yoke or platform  20  for securing tools thereto and for preventing their undesirable movement. The system  10  ensures that all of the attached tools remain where positioned and thereby readily and conveniently at hand. In addition, the tools can have generally fixed mounting positions to resist fouling and to minimize inadvertent movement and swinging. 
         [0022]    All previous tool lanyards have involved straps that are too narrow in diameter and/or too flexible while being worn on the wearer&#39;s neck. The narrow diameter lanyard, even with spacers or beads therealong, results in a substantial amount of the overall mass of the lanyard and tools concentrating at a center of gravity positioned at the low point of the lanyard loop. This concentrated center of gravity encourages a pendulum motion from side to side and fore and aft movement as a wearer moves and bends at the waist. Some prior art devices are problematic in that the weight of the suspended items causes the items to bunch up along or near the center of gravity when the lanyard is worn around the neck of a user. This bunching or clustering problem causes entanglement and fouling of the suspended items, making it difficult to retrieve items selected by the user. The result is that tool lanyards heretofore presented enable excessive movement, rotation, pendulum swinging motion, etc., as the wearer moves about. It is to be appreciated that fishing tool lanyards and other similarly situated lanyards are typically used in conjunction with activities that require the wearer to be involved in somewhat strenuous activity and/or substantive motion. The present invention provides for a tool yoke harness system  10  where the suspended and/or mounted items connected to the yoke  20  do not bunch up along or near the center of gravity when the tool harness  10  is worn, but rather provides for secure and spaced mounting arrangements. 
         [0023]    The neck strap  12  of the present disclosure provides a comfortable and stable friction grip mounting platform for the yoke blank  20  therebetween. The yoke  20  can be wrapped around opposing sections  14 ,  16  of the neck strap  12 . The yoke  20  can then be fastened with a plurality of connectors or rivets  27  to frictionally secure the yoke  20  to the neck strap  12  to ensure a secure mounting arrangement. The secure mounting arrangement enables the user to overcome the frictional forces and slide the yoke  20  up and down  30  the neck strap  12 . Terminal end caps  17 ,  19  prevent yoke  20  from separating from the neck strap  12 . The yoke blank  20  can be positioned and adjusted by the wearer from a ‘lower’ position proximal to a user&#39;s waist, to a ‘higher’ position proximal to a user&#39;s chin or neck, or vice versa, as reflected by reference  30  (i.e. slid up or down respective lanyard portions  14 ,  16 ). The yoke  20  is wrapped around the neck strap  12  at opposing sections  22 ,  24 . The height of the wrapped sections  22 ,  24 , along with the relatively large diameter  18  neck strap  12  provides a frictional engagement between the yoke  20  and the neck strap  12  when the yoke  20  is mounted to the neck strap  12 . The user of the harness system  10  can adjust the position of the yoke  20  by sliding the yoke  20  up and down in the directions indicated by reference  30  along opposing portions  14 ,  16  of the neck strap  12 . It is to be appreciated that if the user is wading in relatively deep water, i.e. water level at chest height, the yoke  20  can be slid upward  30  toward and adjacent to the users upper chest and chin. In this position, the yoke  20  and associated tools can be kept out of the water. When the user is not wading in deep water, the user can slide the yoke  20  downward  30  along opposing portions  14 ,  16  of the neck strap  12 , thereby positioning the yoke  20  adjacent to the user&#39;s midsection. In this position, the yoke  20  is in a more convenient position for access and viewing of the associated tools. It is to be appreciated that when the yoke  20  is positioned upward adjacent to a user&#39;s upper chest, the yoke  20  is retained in a manner that prohibits pendulum swinging side to side and also prohibits fore and aft movement. Even when the yoke  20  is positioned in the lower position adjacent to a user&#39;s midsection, the ratio of the yoke&#39;s length  60  to height  62  prevents wayward swinging and undesirable excessive fore and aft movement due to the rigidity of the yoke  20  and fixed distance retained between sections  14 ,  16 . 
         [0024]    A person who wishes to wade or float over deep water and/or strong currents may now do so with the convenience of his or her tools and supplies worn on a tool harness system  10  that can be positioned over the top of a life vest. Heretofore, this was impractical as fishing tools have been customarily carried or attached to a fly fishing vest which would interfere with the life vest. Fishermen fishing from canoes and small boats no longer need to keep their most frequently used tools and supplies in a tackle box, which makes noise when opened in the bottom of a boat and can be dangerous if overturned. Those fishermen who wish to travel far on foot to fish may now do so in a manner that is much lighter, cooler, and with more stability by using the tool harness  10  as opposed to the usual hot, heavy, and cumbersome fly vest. 
         [0025]    It is to be appreciated that the system  10  can be customized for carrying any variety of tools for a plurality of different pursuits. For example, the tool yoke can be used by bird watchers to secure binoculars, cameras, and other items while stalking birds (not illustrated). 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the tool yoke can be used by hunters to carry a variety of game calls (not illustrated). In yet another embodiment, the tool yoke system can be customized to carry a variety of medical gear. Doctors, nurses, E.M.T., et al., can use the tool yoke for carrying medical tape (mounted to the spool), vacutainer tubes in sleeves or a pocket, scissors/forceps (mounted in ‘fast draw’ holster), hand sanitizer squeeze bottle, pen, identification badge, etc. (not illustrated). The material used can be inexpensive plastic or cloth designed to be disposable. Alternatively, the material can be durable and designed for prolonged use. The durable material can also be of a type able to withstand an autoclave process (i.e., high pressure steam sterilization). In this manner, the tool yoke can be constructed durably while enjoying the benefits of sterilization and continued use. 
         [0027]    The present invention provides a support mounting fixture or yoke blank  20  attached to the neck strap or neck lanyard  12 . The support yoke  20  can include swivels  40  for attaching a variety of fly fishing tools or other items related to a respective pursuit. The support yoke  20  has connection means for connecting to the neck lanyard  12  along wrap sections  22 ,  24  extending substantially the entire height  62  of the support yoke  20 . The yoke  20  provides for a variety of connecting means for attaching fishing tools or similar at secure positions. The support yoke  20  can be constructed to provide rigidity sufficient to maintain the spaced apart distance between the portions  14 ,  16  of the neck lanyard  12 . The tool yoke  20  can include a rigid support  50 , including foam sections  51 ,  52  extending substantially along a majority of a top edge  26  or a bottom edge  28  of the slidably retained blank  20  for providing additional rigidity to the tool yoke  20 . The support  50  can also include a loop material section  53  which can also serve as an area to hold flys or other fish hook tackle. Section  53  is particularly adapted for use with barbless hooks. It is to be appreciated that flys (i.e. hooks) can be held by sections  51 ,  52 ,  53  (i.e. barbed and barbless) to facilitate changing of one fly pattern to another fly pattern. Additionally, flys can be held by sections  51 ,  52 ,  53  while the fly dries, prior to placing back into a fly box. 
         [0028]    A ratio of the length  60  of the yoke  20  relative to the height  62  of the yoke  20  represents a construction and arrangement that maintains the combined neck lanyard  12  and yoke  20  in a substantially fixed and rigid position thereby resisting unwanted swaying or swinging about a wearer&#39;s neck. In one embodiment, the length  60  is about equal to the height  62 . In another embodiment, the length  60  is about one and one half (1.5) times the height  62 . And still other embodiments, the length  60  is about two (2.0) times the height  62 . And still further, the length  60  is about three (3.0) times the height  62 . It is to be appreciated that the height of the folded edge wraps combined comprise from about 8% to about 33% of the overall length of the neck strap. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , any number of different types of tool attachments can be mounted to the yoke blank  20 . A “fast draw” generally horizontal holster  70  can be mounted to the outside of the yoke blank  20  for the mounting of pliers, forceps  72 , scissors, or similar. Other attachments can include a spool  80 , mounted at opposing ends  81 ,  82 , for holding tippet dispensers  84 . Extra swivel attachments  41  can be incorporated for adding additional tools such as tippet straightener, zingers, nippers  86 , floatant bottles, fly boxes, “mud”, knot tying tools, etc. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the neck strap  12  is comprised of climbing rope. The strength, flexibility, and diameter of the strap  12 , combined with the yoke blank  20 , enhances the comfort, durability, and rigidity of the harness  10 . The neck strap  12  can comprise a cord with a diameter  18  in the range from about 9 mm to about 15 mm. The weight of the cord can be from about 40 g/m to about 70 g/m. As described above, the relatively large diameter and relatively large weight of cord  12  provides a secure frictional connection between the wrapped portions  22 ,  24  of the yoke  20  when mounted to the neck strap  12 , while enhancing the comfort along the back of the neck of a user. The neck strap  12  can itself be “pinned” therethrough for holding any variety of tools, devices, or “keepers” (i.e. “zingers”) that in turn hold various tools (not shown). The overall length of the neck strap  12  can be in the range from about 36 inches to about 60 inches. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , wherein the yoke blank  20  is therein displayed. It is to be appreciated that the yoke blank is folded around fold lines  21 ,  23  which form the wrap sections  22 ,  24 , respectively. Once wrapped about corresponding neck strap sections, the yoke blank is connected with fasteners or rivets through the respective matching mounting holes  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93 . Additional corresponding apertures or holes are displayed for attaching any variety of tools or accessories as described above, the additional mounting holes are displayed and identified as reference numbers  94 ,  95 ,  96 ,  97 . It is to be appreciated that the yoke blank  20  can further comprise additional holes or apertures to provide the preferred number of mounted accessories. 
         [0032]    In addition, the tool yoke  20  can also include a sleeve or pocket connected thereto formed from a flexible material blank  100  folded for holding a cell phone securely in front of the wearer. To be described in more detail hereinafter, a cell phone can be secured but readily accessible while on the go and/or while in pursuit of various outdoor activities. In one embodiment, the cell phone folded pocket or pouch  102  ( FIGS. 8-11 ) can be selectively mounted and removed from the tool yoke  20 . In another embodiment ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), once removed, the cell phone pocket  200  can be selectively mounted to an associated hook and loop retaining pad, for example, mounting pad  334  ( FIG. 14 ). Any number of separate mounting pads  334  can be used and selectively placed in areas convenient for the user to mount their cell phone pocket  200  and associated phone. 
         [0033]    As described above, the tool yoke  20  can include an interior pocket for receiving and storing items. For example, a cell phone may be stored within an adjustably formable or sizeable pocket  102  which can be attached to the yoke blank  20  ( FIG. 4 ). The pocket can include a water proof zipper means for enclosing the interior pocket in a water proof tight compartment (not shown). Once folded, the yoke blank  100  can form an adjustably sized pocket  102  adjacent to an interior side of the yoke blank  20 . The pocket  102  can have an opened upper edge for receiving and removing stored items, i.e. a cell phone. In the aforementioned embodiment, the receiving of a cell phone within the pocket  102 , while connected to the yoke  20 , provides for additional rigidity of the yoke  20  between the opposing sides  14 ,  16  of the lanyard cord sections  13 ,  15 . 
         [0034]    The aforementioned tool yoke  20  and neck strap  12  particularly addresses the needs and concerns of fisherman. However, the tool yoke is versatile and can be ‘outfitted’ to address the needs and concerns of any number of occupations and/or activities. One typical feature common to nearly all uses, is the need for securing a cell phone. The tool yoke  20  and pocket  102  can retain a cell phone securely in place while allowing convenient hands free access to answer and converse on phone calls. The tool yoke  20  can include an adjustable and removable cell phone sleeve, pocket, or pouch  102 , that is universally dimensioned and selectively foldable in order to retain nearly any sized cell phone. The adjustable sleeve, pocket or pouch  102  can be removably attached to the yoke  20  by a hook and loop system and/or other connection means. This allows the same cell phone pouch to be selectively removed and relocated when needed for a different situation or usage. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-11 , wherein a first embodiment of the cell phone pouch  102  is therein shown.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the cell phone pouch in an unfolded planar 100 orientation. It is to be appreciated that arms  110 ,  112  can be folded at or around fold lines  111 ,  113 , respectively, and then the section  120  can be folded at or around fold line  121  upwards towards section  122 , wherein the hook portions  130 ,  132  will engage the loop section  134 , thereby securing the blank  100  into the pocket or pouch  102  configuration. The pocket or pouch  102  configuration is shown in a series of different views in  FIGS. 8-11 . It is to be appreciated that the pouch  102  can be folded around and fitted to any number of different sized cell phones or similar devices. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , wherein a second embodiment of the cell phone blank  200  is therein shown.  FIGS. 12 and 13  show the cell phone pouch in an unfolded planar 200 orientation. It is to be appreciated that arms  210 ,  212  can be folded at or around fold lines  211 ,  213 , respectively, and then the section  220  can be folded at or around fold line  221  upwards towards section  222 , wherein the hook portions  230 ,  232  will engage the loop section  234 , thereby securing the blank  200  into the pocket or pouch configuration. The folded pocket or pouch configuration is not illustrated.  FIGS. 12 and 13  further display an elastic retaining strap  240  that provides additional restraint to the top opening of the formed pouch. The elastic retaining strap  240  wraps around the upper region of the folded pouch whereby a cell phone can be retained within the pouch and secured therein. It is to be appreciated, that hook portions  250 ,  252  are presented in an exterior orientation when the blank  200  is in the folded position. The hook portions  250 ,  252  are thereby exposed and can enable the cell phone pouch to be attached to a mounting pad  334  in any number of orientations and mounting configurations. 
         [0037]    It is to be appreciated that the adjustable cell phone pouch  200  can be used with or without a tool yoke. The cell phone pouch  200  can be used with several individual mounting pads  334  placed where needed and convenient for the respective user. For example, the cell phone pouch  200  can easily be removed from a mounting pad  334  secured to a garment  350  ( FIG. 14 ) and attached to another mounting pad mounted in another location (i.e. dashboard of an automobile). A single pouch can be used with a plurality of mounting pads  334  thereby enabling convenient use and ready access. The tool yoke and/or cell phone pouch can be used in any number of environs including business, construction, medical field, rescue, security, sports, or any number of other daily functions and activities. 
         [0038]    The exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.