Lanyard breakaway connector

A lanyard breakaway connector used for mounting on opposite ends of a lanyard. The lanyard is received around a neck of a user. The breakaway connector is used for releasably securing together opposite ends of the lanyard. When the ends of the lanyard are placed in tension, the connector quickly releases thus preventing injury to the user. The breakaway connector includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The two connector members are identical in structure. The first member includes a first housing and the second member includes a second housing. The first and second housings include spikes therein for engaging and holding the opposite ends of the lanyard. Extending outwardly from an opposite end of the first housing is a first ball arm with a first ball mounted thereon and a parallel first socket arm with channel and hole therein. Extending outwardly from an opposite end of the second housing is a second ball arm with a second ball mounted thereon and a parallel second socket arm with channel and hole therein. When connecting the two connector members, the first ball arm is received in the channel of said second socket arm and the second ball arm is received in the channel of the first socket arm. The first and second ball may be made of different sizes to increase or decrease the amount of friction required in disengaging the two connector members when tension is applied to the lanyard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(a) Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to connectors for neckwear and the like and more 
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a breakaway connector used 
for engaging opposite ends of a lanyard. 
(b) Discussion of Prior Art 
Heretofore there have been a variety of different types of breakaway 
connectors used with safety pull cords for window dressings, breakaway 
connectors for necklaces, breakaway ID badge lanyards and safety cord 
devices. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,238 to Say, a breakaway cord connector is described 
for use with drawstrings, ski pass holders and eyewear retainers. This 
patent describes a complex pair of identical cord connectors with a 
self-mating, tongue-in-groove design used in securing opposite ends of a 
cord. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,477,947 to Lyons, 4,944,074 to Bullat et al. and 4,909,298 
to Langhart et al., disclose different types of safety cord releases and 
safety pull cords for window shades. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,477 to Seron, a breakaway necklace is described. A 
female clip is used with engaging fingers for quick release when tension 
is applied to the necklace. 
None of the above-mentioned patents and prior art cord connectors 
incorporate the unique combination of structure and function of the 
subject lanyard breakaway connector as described herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention 
to provide a lanyard breakaway connector that will disengage quickly with 
a minimum amount of tension placed on a lanyard to protect the neck of the 
user of the lanyard. 
Another object of the invention is that it is inexpensive, lightweight and 
easily mounted on opposite ends of a lanyard. 
Still another object of the novel connector is the lanyard breakaway 
connector includes a pair of connector members which are identical and 
interchangeable for ease in installation and reducing the amount of 
inventory of parts required. 
A further object of the invention is the breakaway connector may be used 
with different types of lanyards and a variety of various types of cords 
and chains used around a neck of a user. The neckwear using the connector 
may be used for holding badges, identification cards, medallions, passes, 
jewelry and other items displayed around the neck or resting on the chest 
of the user. 
The lanyard breakaway connector includes a first connector member and a 
second connector member. The two connector members are identical in 
structure. The first member includes a first housing and the second member 
includes a second housing. Each housing includes spikes therein for 
engaging and holding the opposite ends of the lanyard. Extending outwardly 
from an opposite end of the first housing is a first ball arm with a first 
ball mounted thereon and a parallel first socket arm with channel and hole 
therein. Extending outwardly from an opposite end of the second housing is 
a second ball arm with a second ball mounted thereon and a parallel second 
socket arm with channel and a hole therein. When connecting the two 
connector members, the first ball arm is received in the channel in the 
second socket arm. Also, the second ball arm is received in the channel of 
the first socket arm. The first and second ball may have different 
diameters to increase or decrease the amount of friction required in 
disengaging the two connector members when tension is applied to the 
lanyard. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to 
those familiar with the different types lanyards and related breakaway 
connectors when reviewing the following detailed description, showing 
novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and 
more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes 
in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be 
included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they 
may be precluded by the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In FIG. 1, a perspective view of the subject breakaway connector is shown 
having a general reference numeral 10. The connector 10 is shown attached 
to one end 12 and an opposite end 14 of a lanyard 16. The lanyard 16 is 
shown attached to a card holder 18 holding an identification card 20 with 
trade show information thereon. The card holder 18 and identification card 
20 with trade show information form no part of the invention and are shown 
as an example of various items with information that are suspended on the 
lanyard 16. Also shown in this drawing is the lanyard 16 received around a 
neck 22 of a user of the invention. The neck 22 is shown in dotted lines. 
Broadly, the breakaway connector 10 includes a first connector member 24 
releasably attached to a second connector member 26. The two connector 
members 24 and 26 are identical and interchangeable for ease in inventory 
control. Also, the connector 10 requires the molding of only one part 
rather than making separate parts. The two connector members may be made 
from various types of plastic. 
In FIG. 2, a top view of the first connector member 24 is shown and 
disposed in a open position. While the first connector member 24 is 
discussed in detail herein, it should be kept in mind that the two 
connector members 24 and 26 are identical in structure and function. The 
first connector member 24 includes a housing 28 with an elongated groove 
30 therein. Spaced along a length of the groove 30 are a plurality of 
upwardly extending spikes 32. Centered along one side of the housing is an 
elongated pawl 33. A housing cover 34 is attached to the housing 28 using 
a foldable hinge 36. The housing cover 34 is dimensioned to cover the top 
of the housing 28 and includes a recess 38 therein. The housing cover 34 
includes a latch 40 with is used to engage the pawl 33 when the housing 
cover 34 is folded in a closed position on top of the housing 28. 
A first ball arm 42 extends outwardly from one end 44 of the housing 28. 
The first ball arm 42 includes a first ball 46 mounted on the end thereof. 
Also, a first socket arm 48 extends outwardly from the end 44 of the 
housing 28. The first socket arm 48 is parallel to the first ball arm 42 
and includes a channel 50 therein and a hole 52 for releasably receiving a 
ball therein. The channel 50 is shown in dotted lines. 
In FIG. 3, a side view of the first connector member 24 is shown. In this 
drawing the end 12 of the lanyard 16 is shown positioned above the groove 
30 in the housing 28. In operation, the end 12 of the lanyard 16 is 
lowered, as indicated by arrows 54 on top of the spikes 32 and pressed 
into the spikes 32 for holding the lanyard 16 inside the housing 28. The 
lanyard 16 extends outwardly from an opposite end 56 of the housing 28 
when the lanyard is secured therein. 
In FIG. 4, an end view of the first connector member 24 is shown in an open 
position as seen in FIG. 2. In this view, the spikes 32 can be seen 
extending upwardly from the groove 30. 
In FIG. 5, another end view of the first connector member 24 is shown with 
the housing cover 34 folded onto the top of the housing 28. In this view, 
the latch 40 is engaged by the pawl 33 for holding the housing 28 in a 
closed position. The end 12 of the lanyard 16 is not shown in FIGS. 2, 4 
and 5. 
In FIG. 6, an enlarged side view of the first ball 46 and a portion of 
first ball arm 42 are shown. In this drawing, a greater portion of the 
first ball 46 or it has in effect a greater diameter for extending 
outwardly from opposite sides of the first ball arm 42. The sides of the 
first ball arm 42 are used for receipt in a hole in a channel of the 
second connector member 26. 
In FIG. 7, an enlarged side view of another embodiment of the first ball 
arm 42 is shown and is similar to FIG. 6. In this drawing, a flatten ball 
47 extends outwardly from the opposite sides of the first ball arm 42. The 
flattened ball 47 provides for less friction, when received in the hole in 
the channel of the second connector member 26, and quicker release when 
tension is applied to the lanyard 16 and the two connector members 24 and 
26 are disengaged from each other. The object of the quick release of the 
breakaway connector 10 is to prevent an injury to the neck 22 of the user. 
In FIG. 8, a top view on the subject breakaway connector 10 is shown with 
the first connector member 24 positioned for connection to the second 
connector member 26. The two connector members 24 and 26 are shown in a 
closed position with the opposite ends 12 and 14 of the lanyard 16 
attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. The second connector 
member 26 also includes a housing 28 with a housing cover 34 received 
thereon. The second connector member 26 also includes a second ball arm 58 
which extends outwardly from one end 44 of the housing 28. The second ball 
arm 58 includes a second ball 60 mounted on the end thereof. Also, a 
second socket arm 62 extends outwardly from the end 44 of the housing 28. 
The second socket arm 62 is parallel to the second ball arm 58 and 
includes a channel 64 therein and a hole 66 for releasably receiving the 
first ball 46 therein. The channel 64 is shown in dotted lines. 
In this drawing, the two connector members 24 and 26 are shown in position 
for releasable engagement as indicated by arrows 68. The first ball arm 42 
is positioned for insertion into the channel 64 of the second socket arm 
62 with the first ball 46 to be received in releasable engagement in the 
hole 66. Likewise, the second ball arm 58 is positioned for insertion into 
the channel 50 of the first socket arm 48 with the second ball 60 to be 
received in releasable engagement in the hole 52. As mentioned above, the 
two connectors members 24 and 26 are identical in structure for simplicity 
in manufacturing and inventory. But, it can be appreciated that the first 
connector member 24 could have a first ball arm 42 without the first 
socket arm 48. Also, the second connector member 26 could have the second 
socket arm 62 without the second ball arm 58. The second socket arm 62 
engaging the first ball arm 42 in releasable engagement. With this type of 
structure, the subject breakaway connector 10 would work in a similar 
manner as described above and without departing from the spirit and scope 
of the invention. Also, it should be mentioned that the first and second 
balls 46 and 48 may be removable from the ball arms and different sizes 
and shapes. Further, the connector members 24 and 26 are designed to 
release when pressure in a range of 5 pounds is placed on the lanyard 16 
to prevent injury to the user. Obviously the range of 5 pounds may vary 
depending on the size, age and strength of the user and what range in 
pound force might be required to avoid injury. 
While the invention has been shown, described and illustrated in detail 
with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it 
should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes 
in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true 
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the 
prior art.