Abstract:
Described herein is a device for securing a tool to the wrist of a user by a cord to prevent dropping the tool while still allowing use of the tool. The device further comprises removable means for securing the tool to the cord such that the cord may be removed from the tool, or from the wrist. The device further comprises an elastic cord to prevent injury to the wrist if the tool is dropped by minimizing shock to the wrist as the tool reaches the end of the cord length during the fall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Often workers must perform maintenance task at heights. Dropping a tool from a ladder or other elevated position can be a nuisance because one must retrieve the tool to continue the job. In some situations, such as an off-shore platform, or a bridge, the tool may not be retrievable once dropped. Further, when someone is working overhead, a dropped tool could mean costly damage to equipment below, or worst have severe safety consequences to personnel situated below the elevated worker. 
         [0004]    One method of preventing the loss of a tool, or injury is to secure the tool in some fashion. Currently workers use rope and cords to tie tools to their belt, or to the ladder on which they are working. If a tool is secured to a belt, ladder, etc., then use may be impaired. Further the long cords necessary to secure the tool in this fashion could be a trip hazard to a worker in an elevated position. Finally if the tool does drop, then the jerk of the tool reaching the end of the rope could cause an elevated worker to lose their stance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a device for securing a tool to the wrist in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a device worn for securing a tool to the wrist in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment for the wrist band of a device for securing a tool to the body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an a back view of the reinforced tab of a device for securing a tool to the body in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates securing a tool to the device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative for securing a tool to the device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Disclosed is a device to protect workers from dropped tools from overhead workers. By securing a tool to a workers wrist, the worker may utilize the tool in a safe manner without worry of dropping the tool on people or equipment below. Rather than securing a tool to a belt or platform, securing the tool to the worker&#39;s wrist allows a shorter cord assembly presenting less of a tangle hazard. Further the tool has the same reach as the worker using it so no limitations are imposed, as may be the case if the tool were secured to the waist belt, or platform. 
         [0012]    The device comprises a band encircling the wrist of the wearer. The band has a reinforced attachment point for securing a cord assembly that, in turn, has the distal end attached to the tool. The cord assembly is removable at the wrist so that it may be disconnected and in turn be connected to a belt to keep the tool secured in a tool belt, while a different tool with a different cord is attached to the wrist in its place. Further, by disconnecting at the wrist, the worker has the ability to free the hands of tools or cords which could cause tangle hazards when the worker changes work locations, e.g. when ascending or descending a ladder. 
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment, the wrist band is constructed from a linear band of material with hook and loop type fasteners which allow it to be comfortably and securely wrapped around the arm to produce a customized fit. The band is wide enough to comfortably spread the load comfortably across the wrist and forearm of the wearer. The band is constructed of a woven elastic material which provides stretch for comfort and customizable fit to the wearer. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the band has a reinforced tab on the end where a ring is attached, to which the cord is secured. In the preferred embodiment, the wrist band further comprises a loop at the end opposite the reinforced end. The loop is positioned such that it can be passed over the thumb to hold the end while wrapping the band around the wrist, thus allowing a wearer to easily don the wristband around one hand with the other free hand. Once properly wrapped; the hook and loop fastener material on the tab mates with the hook and loop fastener material on the band securing the band in a custom fit. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the wrist band may be a permanent band which clamps to the wrist with a clasp or buckle similar to a watch band. In another embodiment the wrist band may be of an elastic material that allows the wearer to slip it over the hand. Such an embodiment is less desirable because it could possibly be pulled back over the hand by the weight of a falling tool. 
         [0015]    A cord assembly is detachably secured to the wrist band at the reinforced attachment point previously described. By making this a detachable connection, the cord assembly may remain attached to the tool so that it may be further utilized to secure the tool to a tool belt or platform when not in use. In this fashion a wearer may have multiple cord assemblies of varying length and elasticity based on the tools to which they are attached. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the attachment point may be a grommet in a reinforced portion of the strap. The reinforcement may be a thicker material, or a non-elastic material, or a backing or tear-resistant lining to the attachment point such as a grommet or a button hole-like stitching pattern. In the preferred embodiment, a “D-Ring” is secured with a security strap which runs through a reinforced hole to the back side of the reinforced tab and is secured to the tab by rivets. In this fashion, the D-Ring may be folded against the wrist when not in use to be out of the way. Further, the Ring is an easily accessible connection point for a snap type hook. 
         [0017]    The cord assembly comprises a length of cord which connects the tool to the wrist band. In the preferred embodiment, the cord is an elastic core with a woven encasing material commonly referred to as bungee. The length of bungee cord is terminated with crimp connectors to snap hooks making the cord removable from the wrist band and/or from the tool. In the preferred embodiment at least the snap hook on the tool end of the cord assembly is of a swiveling type to prevent twisting of the cord assembly during normal use of the tool. In another embodiment, the cord may be rubber banding or rubber tubing. In another embodiment the cord may not be elastic, but instead be a static material. In another embodiment the cord may be a series of cords or bands joined together in parallel or series to form various lengths and weights. In another embodiment, the cord assembly may be permanently attached to the wrist band and/or to the tool. 
         [0018]    The cord assembly&#39;s attachment to the tool will depend on the tool. Many tools already contain convenient attachment points. As an example, a crescent wrench is often fastened with a hole or opening at the back end of the handle to facilitate hanging the tool for storage. Similarly, hammers often have holes drilled in the butt end of their handles for hanging. In these examples the snap hook of the cord assembly may be connected to the tool at this position. Some tools such as pliers or screwdrivers, as an example, may not have a convenient connection point. In situations such as this, the worker may have to fashion a connection point by some means. As an example, the inventor preferred to use a series of large O-Rings which were attached to the handle of tools in convenient places which would not interfere with the tool&#39;s operation. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one finds illustrated a safety device ( 100 ) for securing a tool ( 190 ) to the wrist ( 180 ) of a worker in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The wrist band ( 120 ) comprises a an elastic strap ( 123 ) with a thumb loop ( 125 ) at one end and a reinforced end ( 140 ) at the distal end. The wrist band is applied by looping the thumb loop ( 125 ) over the thumb to hold the band ( 123 ) while the rest of the band is wrapped around the wrist ( 180 ), such that the hook and loop fastener material ( 127 ) is on the outside and the reinforced end ( 140 ) is ideally positioned such that the attachment point ( 150 ) is near the inside of the wrist. By joining the mating portion of the hook and loop fastener (not visible) on the back side of the pull tab ( 145 ) to the hook and loop fastener material ( 127 ) on the strap the wrist band ( 120 ) is secured to the wearer. Next a cord assembly ( 160 ) is detachably connected to the attachment point ( 150 ). The cord assembly ( 160 ) comprises a length of cord ( 165 ) which is detachably connected at one end ( 162 ) to the attachment point of the wrist band ( 120 ), and is detachably connected on the distal end ( 167 ) to a tool ( 190 ) through a tool connector ( 195 ). In the embodiment illustrated here, the ends ( 162 ,  167 ) of the cord assembly ( 160 ) are swiveling snap connectors. One skilled in the art would appreciate that other attachments could be accomplished which would be within the function of the invention. Positioning the attachment point ( 150 ) near the inside wrist facilitates attachment of the cord assembly ( 160 ) by the wearer, but one skilled in the art would appreciate that attachment of the cord assembly ( 160 ) could be accomplished if the attachment point ( 150 ) were in a different position, and that final positioning could be a function of the wearer&#39;s individual preference. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , one finds illustrated the same safety device ( 100 ) shown properly installed with the tool ( 190 ) comfortably in the hand ( 180 ) ready for use. In this view one sees the thumb loop ( 125 ) attached to the wrist band ( 120 ) which is wrapped around the wrist. The cord assembly ( 160 ) comprises a cord ( 165 ) which is securely attached to the wrist band ( 120 ) by a swivel snap clip at one end ( 167 ) and the swivel snap clip on the distal end ( 162 ) is attached to the tool connector ( 195 ) which facilitates connection to the tool ( 190 ). 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of the wrist band ( 120 ) which comprises an elastic band ( 123 ) with a thumb loop ( 125 ) on one end and protruding from an upper corner of the band. The band has a one half of a hook and loop type fastener ( 127 ) along a portion of the band, although in different embodiments this could be more or less of the hook and loop type fastener to easier facilitate securing the band around the wrist. Opposite the thumb loop, the end of the band ( 123 ) has been reinforced to create a reinforced end ( 140 ) to allow secure positioning of an attachment point ( 150 ), the details of which are shown in the next figure. The reinforced end ( 140 ) also has a pull tab ( 145 ) containing the mating portion of the hook and loop fastener ( 143 , not visible). In another embodiment, the pull tab ( 145 ) may not extend from the reinforced end ( 140 ) and the mating portion of the hook and loop fastener ( 143 , not visible) may be on the back side of the reinforced end ( 140 ), or may comprise the entire back side of the elastic band ( 123 ). One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other placements for the hook and loop type fastener material ( 127 ,  143 ), and that there are other methods that would suffice to secure the band ( 120 ) around the wrist of the wearer. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a back view of the reinforced end ( 140 ) of the safety device ( 100 ). In particular detail is shown of the attachment point ( 150 ). In the embodiment illustrated, a grommeted hole (not individually labeled) is used to secure a D-ring ( 153 , on  FIG. 3 ) on the front side of the reinforced end ( 140 ) by passing a security strap ( 155 ) through the D-ring ( 153 ) and down thorough the grometted hole of the attachment point ( 150 ). The security strap ( 155 ) is then spread to the sides where rivets ( 157 ) firmly attach it to the reinforced tab ( 140 ). Also visible in  FIG. 4  is the back side of the pull tab ( 145 ) with the mating portion of the hook and loop type fastener ( 143 ) previously described. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5A and 5B  illustrate securing a tool ( 190 ) through the use of a tool connector ( 195 ) to the cord assembly ( 160 ). The tool connector ( 195 ) provides a convenient place for attaching the swivel snap hook ( 167 ) of the cord ( 165 ). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5A , a single large O-ring is twisted upon itself to form a slip loop around a portion of the tool ( 190 ). In practice there is the possibility that depending on the stiffness of the O-ring, it could possibly loosen when not under tension. Therefore a preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 5B  where the larger O-ring ( 197 ) passes through a smaller O-ring ( 196 ) which is tightened against the tool to prevent it from slipping. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative for securing a tool ( 190 ) to the cord assembly ( 160 ). In this embodiment, the tool connector ( 195 ) is passed through a hole in the tool&#39;s ( 190 ) handle which is otherwise too large for the swivel snap hook, ( 167 ) to connect. One skilled in the art would appreciate a number of other attachments that could be accomplished to secure tools ( 190 ) to the cord assembly ( 160 ). 
         [0025]    The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention. 
         [0026]    The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.