Sliding coupling device for a lanyard or the like

A first portion or section of a flexible wrist cord is connected to a second portion or section of the cord by a sliding coupling device including a pair of mating identical housing sections which are assembled to form a housing having an internal cavity. A hook-like clip portion projects from each housing section on one side of the cavity and snap fits into a corresponding aperture within the other housing section to form a positive attachment of the housing sections. The housing sections also cooperate to define openings for receiving the cord sections, and the cavity provides space for receiving opposite knotted end portions of the cord or a crimped fastener which connects opposite end portions of the cord. The cavity also provides for extending the cord sections directly through the housing in parallel spaced relation or for crossing the cord sections when it is desired to increase the sliding friction of the coupling device along the cord sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the construction of lanyards which are used for protecting a hand held 
portable article such as a portable labeler or game racket, there have 
been various types of coupling devices either constructed or proposed for 
mounting on two portions or sections of a safety chain or cord and for 
sliding along one or both of the cord sections to secure the cord to a 
person's wrist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 534,946 discloses a flexible 
chain-like cord which receives a sliding clasp having a lining to create 
friction when the clasp is moved along the cord. U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,500 
discloses another form of clasp assembly which receives a flexible cord in 
the form of a bolo tie, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,161 discloses a sliding 
clasp or lock assembly which is adapted to grip the cord sections. The 
assignee of the present invention has also produced a sliding coupling 
device which has a body with parallel spaced openings for receiving 
corresponding sections of a cord and wherein one of the passages receives 
a tapered tubular plug which is cemented into the body for securing 
opposite end portions of the cord within the passage. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to an improved coupling device for 
connecting a first section of a flexible cord to a second section and for 
providing for relatively sliding movement between the device and at least 
one of the cord sections. As used herein, the term cord is intended to 
include any elongated flexible member which is adapted to extend around an 
article or portion of a person's body. The coupling device of the 
invention is of simplified and inexpensive construction and provides for a 
quick and positive assembly onto adjacent cord sections. The coupling 
device of the invention further provides for flexibility in that it can be 
attached to the cord sections in different forms, depending on the 
construction of the article which receives the flexible cord and the 
preferred form of attachment. That is, the coupling device may be attached 
in a manner which provides for sliding movement of the coupling device 
relative to both cord sections or relative to only one of the cord 
sections. The coupling device also provides for receiving opposite end 
portions of the flexible cord and for securing the end portions to the 
coupling device, according to the type and stiffness of the cord which is 
used. 
The above features and advantages of a coupling device constructed and 
assembled in accordance with the invention and other features and 
advantages will become apparent from the following description, the 
accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, a lanyard assembly 10 is illustrated in the form of a 
safety wrist cord extending from the handle portion 11 of a hand held 
portable label printer and applicator unit 12, for example, of the type 
illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. 227,932 which issued to the assignee 
of the present invention. The lanyard assembly 10 includes an elongated 
flexible cord 14 which extends through a hole or eyelet formed within the 
outer end of the handle portion 11 of the labeler unit 12 and includes 
generally parallel cord sections 16 and 18. The cord sections 16 and 18 
are connected together by a coupling device 20 which slidably receives the 
cord section 16 (FIG. 4) and confines opposite knotted end portions 22 of 
the cord 14. 
In accordance with the present invention, the coupling device 20 is formed 
by two mating housing sections 25 which are identical in construction and 
are each molded of a rigid thermoplastics material. When the housing 
sections 25 are assembled (FIG. 3), the sections cooperate to define an 
internal chamber or cavity 26. The corresponding mating end walls 28 of 
the housing sections 25 cooperate to define a pair of circular openings 29 
which extend to and are connected by the cavity 26. 
Each of the housing sections 25 also includes a side wall 31 which 
incorporates an outwardly projecting clip portion 32 having a hook-like 
cross-sectional configuration. The opposite side wall 34 of each housing 
section 25 has a generally rectangular opening or aperture 36 which is in 
part defined by a flat surface or shoulder 37. The side wall 34 of each 
housing section 25 also includes a pair of spaced corner holes 39, and a 
corresponding pair of studs or pins 41 project from the opposite side wall 
31 of each housing section 25. Each of the housing sections 25 also has a 
smoothly curved or oval shaped outer surface 43 which is interrupted along 
one side by the corresonding aperture 36. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the mating housing sections 25 are pressed 
together, the clip portion 32 of each housing section springs slightly 
inwardly when it projects into the aperture 36 of the other or opposing 
housing section 25 and then hooks onto the corresponding shoulder 37 to 
form a positive snap-fit connection between the housing sections. When the 
housing sections are assembled, the outer end surface of each clip portion 
32 is substantially flush with the outer surface 43 of the opposite 
housing section, as shown in FIG. 3. The pins 41 of each housing section 
25 also project into the corresponding holes 39 of the opposite housing 
section to assure precise alignment between the mating housing sections. 
As mentioned above, the center chamber or cavity 26 provides for receiving 
the knotted end portions 22 (FIG. 4) of the cord 14 and forming the cord 
section 18, and the opposite cord section 16 is adapted to slide within 
the corresponding set of aligned holes or openings 29. Thus after the 
looped cord 14 is slipped over the operator's wrist, the coupling device 
20 is shifted along the cord section 16 in order to snug the cord around 
the operator's wrist. 
In reference to FIG. 5, in place of having the knotted end portions 22 of 
the cord within the cavity 26, the end portions of the cord may be secured 
together by a tubular metal coupling or fitting 45 which is crimped onto 
the end portions of the cord. The use of the crimped fitting 45 is 
particularly desirable in conjunction with a relatively stiff cord 14 
which can not be easily knotted within a compact space. 
In FIG. 6, the coupling device is also adapted to be used in combination 
with a flexible looped cord 14 having knotted end portions 22 confined 
within the hollow handle portion 11' of a hand held portable labeling unit 
12'. In this modification, the cord sections 16 and 18 cross over each 
other within the cavity 26 of the coupling device 20 and thereby provide 
for a higher sliding frictional drag of the coupling device 20 along the 
cord sections 16 and 18 and also eliminate the need for the cord sliding 
within a hole in the handle portion. It is also apparent that the cord 
sections 16 and 18 may be assembled within the coupling device 20 so that 
the cord sections do not cross over each other but extend substantially 
parallel straight through the coupling device 20. 
From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that a sliding 
coupling device constructed and assembled in accordance with the present 
invention, provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the 
coupling device 20 is simple and inexpensive in construction and may be 
quickly assembled onto a flexible cord, simply by snapping the housing 
sections 25 together with the cord section sandwiched between the housing 
sections within the openings 29. Furthermore, each of the housing sections 
25 is adapted to be molded of a plastics material within a relatively 
inexpensive mold which does not require any slides for producing undercuts 
or openings. 
As also mentioned above, the center chamber or cavity 26 of the assembled 
coupling device 20 provides for flexibility in assembly and for 
accommodating cords having different stiffnesses. That is, the opposite 
end portions of the cord may be terminated within the coupling device, 
such as by the knotted end portions 22 or by the connecting fitting 45, or 
the cord sections may be extended through the coupling device, either 
directly or in a cross-over relation as indicated in FIG. 6. It is also 
apparent that the coupling device may be easily disassembled, for example, 
to replace a cord, simply by springing one of the clip portions 32 
inwardly until it releases from the corresponding shoulder 37. 
While the form of sliding coupling device herein described constitutes a 
preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the 
invention is not limited to this precise form of device, and that changes 
may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the 
invention as defined in the appended claims.