Patent Publication Number: US-11382405-B2

Title: Lanyard

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/240,546, filed Jan. 4, 2019, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2018/066873, filed Dec. 20, 2018, which claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/609,078, filed on Dec. 21, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. The present invention relates specifically to a lanyard for connecting tools, or batteries, to an anchor point, for example, while working at height. Lanyards are used to attach to/support tools, batteries, components, and/or other equipment to provide security when an operator inadvertently drops the equipment. Lanyards also protect the tool or equipment from damage due to a fall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a lanyard. The lanyard includes a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a sheath, and an elastic cord. The sheath includes a first end coupled to the first attachment member and a second end coupled to the second attachment member. The sheath defines an extended length between the first and second ends. The elastic cord has a first elastic cord end and a second elastic cord end. The first elastic cord end and the second elastic cord end are both attached to the first attachment member. The elastic cord defines a loop between the first attachment member and the second attachment member wherein the elastic cord is stretchable between an un-stretched length and stretched length. The un-stretched length is less than the extended length, wherein the elasticity of the sheath is less than the elasticity of the elastic cord. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a lanyard. The lanyard includes a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a sheath, and four or more separate elastic cords. The sheath includes a first end coupled to the first attachment member and a second end coupled to the second attachment member. The sheath defines an extended length between the first and second ends. The four or more separate elastic cords are disposed within the sheath. Each elastic cord is coupled between the first attachment member and the second attachment member on opposite ends of the sheath. The elastic cord is stretchable between an un-stretched length and a stretched length. The un-stretched length is less than the extended length, such that the elasticity of the sheath is less than the elasticity of the elastic cords. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a lanyard. The lanyard includes a tool holding member, a carabiner, a sheath, and one or more elastic cords. The sheath includes a first end coupled to the tool holding member and a second end coupled to the carabiner. The second end of the sheath is opposite the first end. The fully extended sheath defines a limiting tensioned length of the lanyard. One or more elastic cords are disposed within the sheath and couple to the tool holding member on a first end of the sheath and the carabiner at a second end of the sheath. The one or more elastic cords have a pre-tensioned length and a tensioned length. The tensioned length of the one or more elastic cords is less than or equal to the limiting tensioned length of the sheath. The limiting tensioned length of the sheath is between a 38% and 115% increase of the pre-tensioned length of the one or more elastic cords. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lanyard with a carabiner and a loop, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lanyard with two carabiners, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a lanyard with a carabiner and a loop formed from a single elastic cord that begins at a first end and terminates at a second end of a sheath, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a lanyard with two carabiners and one elastic cord, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a lanyard with a carabiner and a loop formed from a single elastic cord that begins at a first end and terminates at the first end of a sheath, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a lanyard comprising four elastic cords extending from the first end to the second end of a sheath, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of one elastic cord of a lanyard, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a carabiner attachment member for a lanyard, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an open carabiner illustrating a gate separation distance that is less than a wall separation distance, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a lanyard that illustrates sections of the extended lanyard, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a drop test of the lanyard of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests using the lanyard of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests using the lanyard of  FIG. 10 , as related to the Table of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests of the lanyard in  FIG. 10 , as related to the Table of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests of the lanyard in  FIG. 10 , as related to the Table of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests of the lanyard in  FIG. 10 , as related to the Table of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of a lanyard coupled to a tether for securing a tool, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests using the lanyard of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 19  is a Table of data showing results from various drop tests of the lanyard and tether shown in  FIG. 13 , as related to the Table of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a lanyard are shown. Lanyards are used as a safety measure to secure tools to an anchor point, for example, while working at height. To enhance safety, a lanyard may couple to tools and tool batteries and tether them when operating the tools at height. Various regulations (e.g., OSHA regulations) may require a lanyard when an operator uses tools height. When a tool is dropped at height, the lanyard couples the tool to an anchor point and prevents the tool from dropping. This prevents a safety hazard and also protects the tool from the destructive influence of the fall. 
     Lanyards are designed to absorb and dissipate the energy of a fall. Lanyards that are too stiff may break or snap at the attachment points to either the tool or the anchor point or along the lanyard itself. Stiff lanyards allow a predetermined falling length, but often exhibit brittle material behavior and may break unexpectedly along the lanyard or at the attachment members. This brittle-like behavior is due to the stiff lanyards inability to absorb the energy of the falling object. Elastic materials show a far more ductile response to a falling object, but may not be effective in preventing an object from falling a specified distance. For example, a first object with a first weight will fall a different distance than a second object with a second weight when attached to the same elastic lanyard. Many factors, such as the height of the fall, the weight of the supported object, the spring constant of the elastic material, and others, determine the length of the deflection needed to support a falling object with an elastic lanyard. For a reliable lanyard, this unpredictability can be problematic. 
     Applicant has found that the use of a sheath of a stiff or inelastic material, such as nylon, surrounding an elastic material, such as natural rubber, creates a combination lanyard with the beneficial effects from both materials. The lanyard has a predictable limit to the total deflection defined by the total extended length of the inelastic sheath. In addition, the elastic properties of the cords within the lanyard absorb and dissipate most, if not all, the energy of the fall. This elastic energy dissipation prevents brittle-like fractures at the attachment points or along the sheath of the lanyard. The inelastic material reliably limits the fall distance. 
     One common attachment member at the ends of a lanyard is a carabiner. Carabiners can quickly attach to an anchor point, a tool, or a tool tether (coupled to or attached to the tool). Carabiners operate a gate in two positions, an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the carabiner may receive a loop or hook. Carabiners can be biased toward the closed position so that when the loop is received, the carabiner closes around the loop and prevents accidental release. However, often the loop is bigger than the gap or opening created by the carabiner, either between the gate and a first end of the carabiner or between the gate and the internal walls of the carabiner. This can cause binding of the loop within the carabiner and may prevent the carabiner from closing around the loop. Applicant has found that maintaining the distance between the gate and the internal walls of the carabiner to be greater than the distance between the gate and an end of the carabiner; lanyard binding is reduced. This is because there is more room for the lanyard loop once it passes through the gate (e.g., more room on the carabiner) than there is between the gate and the end of the carabiner. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a lanyard  10  is provided. The lanyard  10  includes a sheath  14  with a first end  18  and an opposite second end  22 . The first end  18  of the sheath  14  is coupled to a first attachment member  24  and the second end  22  is coupled to a second attachment member  28 . The extended sheath  14  defines an extended length between the first and second ends  18  and  22  of the sheath  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , sheath  14  is bunched up or kinked about an elastic cord  34 . Thus the full extended sheath  14  is greater than the distance shown. The elastic cord  34  is free to extend within the length of the fully extended sheath  14 . The full length of the extended sheath  14  defines a reliable limit for the distance the lanyard  10  will allow attached equipment to fall. 
     The sheath  14  can be made of nylon or other suitable materials. For example, sheath  14  may be made from natural fibers or wool, cashmere, cotton, silk, linen, hemp, and/or other natural fibers. Sheath  14  may be made from synthetic fibers such as rayon, polyester, acrylic, acetate, nylon, polyamides, and/or other polymers. In this application, “nylon” will refer to any member of the family of polyamides such as nylon 6,6; nylon 6; nylon 6,12; nylon 5,10; and other polyamides. The sheath  14  can be formed from a nylon sheet material or a composite material, e.g., nylon and rubber. The sheath  14  may be formed from less than eighty strands of nylon for every twenty strands of rubber. For example, the sheath  14  may be formed of seventy-four strands of nylon for every twenty-six strands of rubber. The sheath  14  may be formed from seventy strands of nylon for every thirty strands of rubber. The sheath  14  may be formed from sixty strands of nylon for every forty strands of rubber. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 , the lanyard  10  includes a carabiner  26  as a first attachment member  24  and a loop  30  as a second attachment member  28 . The loop  30  can be secured to a power tool, and the carabiner  26  can be secured to a fixed anchor point such as building, machine, a balcony rail/post, or other mounting structure. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the lanyard utilizes carabiners  26  as both the first and second attachment members  24  and  28 . In other embodiments, instead of a carabiner  26  or loop  30 , the first and second attachment members  24  and  28  can be anything capable of securing the lanyard  10  to a power tool and/or a fixed anchor point. As used herein, a fixed anchor point will refer to any structure that the lanyard is attached to that supports the equipment during a fall. Examples of a fixed anchor point include, but are not limited to, a balcony, a rail or railing, a wall, a support, or other fixed anchor locations for the lanyard. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , lanyard  10  may be coupled to a first linking member  32  and/or a second linking member  36 . Linking members  32  and  36  may have different elastic/inelastic properties than lanyard  10 . Linking members  32  and  36  may be another lanyard  10  coupled in series. Linking members  32  and  36  can be coupled in a semi-permanent fashion (e.g., through one or more swivels  48 ) or in a releasable fashion (e.g., through one or more carabiners  26 ). For example, first linking member  32  can link the first end  18  to the first attachment member  24 , such as the carabiner  26 , and a second linking member  36  can link the second end  22  to the second attachment member  28 , such as the loop  30  in  FIG. 1  or another carabiner  26  in  FIG. 2 . The first and second linking members  32  and  36  can also be made of nylon, nylon composite (e.g., nylon and rubber composite) or any other suitable material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 10 , the first linking portion  32  is comprised of a loop section  40  and a stitched section  44  that connects the loop section  40  to the first end  18  of the sheath  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10  the carabiner  26  can include a swivel  48  that permits the carabiner  26  to rotate with respect to the sheath  14 . In some embodiments, swivel  48  is fixed and prevents rotation of the carabiner  26 . In other embodiments, swivel  48  resists rotation or allows rotation to discrete locations about swivel  48 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 10 , the loop section  40  of the first linking member  32  loops around the swivel  48  to couple the carabiner  26  to the first linking member  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , lanyard  10  includes an elastic cord  34  within sheath  14 . Elastic cord  34  includes a group of individual elastic strands  58  of a natural/synthetic rubber or elastomeric material coiled together to form elastic cord  34 . The elastic cord  34  may be formed from rubber or other suitable elastic materials. For example, the elastic cord  34  may be formed of natural rubber, elastomers, elastic polymers, neoprene rubber, unsaturated rubbers (e.g., polyisoprene or nitrile rubber buna-n), saturated rubbers (e.g., ethylene propylene rubber), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), resilin, elastin, polysulfide rubber, elastolefin, and/or other ductile elastic materials. In addition, a composite sheath  14  or linking portion  32  or  36  may include these materials in proportion to an inelastic material (e.g., nylon). For example, sheath  14  or linking portion  32  or  36  may be formed from less than eighty strands of inelastic material (synthetic or natural, e.g., nylon 6,6) for every twenty strands of an elastic material (synthetic or natural, e.g., polyisoprene or natural rubber). 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the elastic cord  34  is coupled to the first attachment member  24  (a carabiner  26 ) at the first end  18  and defines the second attachment member  28  (a loop  30 ) external to the second end  22 . Sheath  14  surrounds the elastic cord  34  and couples to the carabiner  26  at the first end  18 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , elastic cord  34  can be coupled to carabiner  26  at the first end  18  and another carabiner  26  at the second end  22 . For example, a loop  30  defined by the elastic cord  34  may be internal to the sheath  14 , such that loop  30  couples to attachment member  28  (e.g., carabiner  26 ) or sheath  14  (e.g., at sheath end  22 ) and does not form an external loop  30 . Sheath  14  may be coupled to the second attachment member  28  (e.g., carabiner  26 ) to the internal loop  30 . Sheath  14  surrounds elastic cord  34  and couples to the carabiners  26  at the first end  18  and second end  22 . In some embodiments, elastic cord  34  is coupled to the first and second linking members  32  and  36  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the elastic cord  34  begins at the first end  18  and terminates at the second end  22  of sheath  14 . 
     Attachment members  24  and  28  may include a carabiner  26 , a loop  30 , a latch, a tether key or tether end, a buckle, a fastener, or another attachment to a tool or anchor point. Attachment members  24  and  28  may provide an anchor point to lanyard  10  or be a tool holding member. In operation, the first attachment member  24 , such as the carabiner  26 , can be secured to a fixed anchor point, and the second attachment member  28 , such as the loop  30 , can be secured to a tool (not shown) used by the operator. In this manner, if and when the operator drops the tool, the tool is elastically supported by the lanyard  10  up to the extended length of sheath  14 , which is secured to the anchor point. When the tool reaches the extended length of sheath  14 , the inelastic response of the sheath  14  dominates, providing a reliable limit to the distance the falling object travels, regardless of the weight, the height dropped, or other characteristics. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , elastic cord  34  has a first end  38 , a second elastic cord end  42 , and a body  46  defined between the first and second ends  38  and  42 . Both the first end  38  and the second elastic cord end  42  are coupled to carabiner  26 . The body  46  is looped outside of the second end  22  of the sheath  14 , such that the body  46  defines loop  30 . The elastic cord  34  extends beyond the sheath  14  to form the external loop  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  loop  30  is external to sheath  14 . In some embodiments, loop  30  is internal to sheath  14  and couples to an attachment member  24  or  28  (such as an inelastic loop  30  illustrated in  FIG. 6  or a carabiner  26 ). 
     For example, in  FIG. 5  loop  30 , defined by elastic cord  34 , is external to the sheath  14  and defines the second attachment member  28 . Thus, in this embodiment, loop  30  is elastic, and there are two elastic portions  50  and  54  defined by the body  46  of one elastic cord  34 . The elastic portions  50  and  54  of body  46  extend within sheath  14  between the first and second ends  18  and  22  of the sheath  14 . For example, the first elastic cord end  38  and the second elastic cord end  42  are both attached to the first attachment member  24 , and the elastic cord  34  defines a loop  30  between the first attachment member  24  and the second attachment member  28 . In other embodiments, loop  30 , defined by elastic cord  34 , is internal to the sheath  14 . The loop  30  does not extend beyond sheath  14  but includes elastic portions  50  and  54  such that the first elastic cord end  38  and second elastic cord end  42  are both attached to sheath  14  at a first end  18 . The internal loop  30  may connect to an attachment member  28  at the second end  22  of sheath  14 . 
     The elastic cord  34  may stretch between an un-stretched length and a stretched length. The un-stretched length is less than the fully extended length of sheath  14 . Thus, sheath  14  is bunched up or kinked about the elastic cord  34 . The elasticity of the sheath  14  is less than the elasticity of the elastic cord  34 . This configuration enables the elastic cord  34  to stretch to absorb energy when lanyard  10  is supporting a falling object. The stretched length of the elastic cord  34  can vary between the un-stretched length of elastic cord  34  and the fully extended length of sheath  14 . Between these limits, the stretched length of the elastic cord  34  elastically absorbs the kinetic energy of the falling object. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 6 , lanyard  10  includes four or more separate elastic cords  34  within sheath  14 . In some embodiments, the four or more elastic cords  34  may form loops  30 , such that the first elastic cord end  38  and second elastic cord end  42  are both attached to the first attachment member  24 , and the elastic cords  34  define a loop  30  between the first attachment member  24  and the second attachment member  28 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , each elastic cord  34  is separately coupled between attachment members  24  and  28  at either end  18  or  22  of sheath  14 . Each elastic cord  34  is coupled between the first attachment member  24  and the second attachment member  28  on the opposite end of sheath  14 . The elastic cords  34  are stretchable between an un-stretched length and a stretched length. The un-stretched length is less than the extended length of the sheath  14 , and the elasticity of sheath  14  is less than the elasticity of elastic cords  34 . As illustrated, attachment members  24  and  28  are a carabiner  26  and an inelastic loop  30  (e.g., nylon and not defined by elastic cords  34 ), but may include any suitable attachment member  24  or  28 . In some embodiments, sheath  14  may include 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more separate elastic cords  34  within the lanyard  10  separately coupled between attachment members  24  and  28  or forming loops  30 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 7 , elastic cord  34  includes between thirty-six and fifty elastic strands  58 . Thus, in embodiments such as the one shown in  FIG. 5 , because there are two elastic portions  50  and  54  within the sheath  14 , there are effectively between seventy-two and one hundred elastic strands  58  of rubber between the first and second ends  18  and  22  of sheath  14 , but only thirty-six to fifty elastic strands  58  within elastic cord  34 . Similarly, in embodiments such as the one shown in  FIG. 6 , because there are four separate elastic cords  34  within the sheath  14 , there are effectively between one hundred forty-four and two hundred elastic strands  58  between the first and second ends  18  and  22  within sheath  14 . Additional elastic cords  34  have between N×36 and N×50 elastic strands  58 , where N represents the number of elastic cords  34  within sheath  14 . For example, five elastic cords  34  (N=5) have between 5×36=180 and 5×50=250 elastic strands  58 . In some embodiments, two or more elastic cords  34  may form a loop  30  within sheath  14  to create four or more elastic portions  50  and  54 . For example, two elastic cords  34  may form four elastic portions  50  and  54  and comprise between seventy-two and one hundred elastic strands  58  of rubber. 
     Carabiner  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , has a body  62  with a first end  66  and a second end  70  which functions as a latch or gate  78 . Gate  78  is pivotable over a range of motion  82  between a first “closed” position and a second “open” position. For example, when gate  78  moves from the closed position (illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 ) to the open position (illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8 ), an opening  74  is formed between gate  78  and first end  66 . Opening  74  is defined when gate  78  is open between the first end  66  and second end  70  of carabiner  26 . 
     Carabiner  26  may be biased towards the closed position. Applying pressure to gate  78  pivots the gate  78  between the closed position in which the gate  78  engages the second end  70  and the open position, in which the gate  78  has pivoted the maximum possible distance over the range of motion  82 , thus maximizing the expanded opening  74 . Once pressure is released, gate  78  engages the second end  70  in the closed position. Gate  78  can latch and/or lock to the second end  70  of carabiner  26  to securely close carabiner  26  and keep it closed. In some embodiments, gate  78  is biased by a biasing member, such as a spring (not shown), towards the closed position. Gate  78  may include a lock or cover (not shown) that rotates or slides to cover second end  70  and secure gate  78  in the closed position to prevent accidental opening or release of carabiner  26 . 
     The body  62  of the carabiner  26  may optionally be attached to swivel  48  and includes a first end  66 , a first wall portion  86 , a second wall portion  90 , and a second end  70 . The shape of carabiner  26  is defined by body  62  at the first wall portion  86  and the second wall portion  90 . The first wall portion  86  is approximately parallel to the gate  78  when the gate  78  is in the closed position and the second wall portion  90  is linked to the first wall portion  86 . For example, second wall portion  90  may make an acute, obtuse, or right angle with first wall portion  86 . As illustrated, the second wall portion  90  makes an acute angle with the first wall portion  86 , which is approximately parallel to gate  78  in the closed position. Other configurations and embodiments of carabiner  26 , including non-parallel and/or alternate angles are envisioned. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , a gate separation distance  94  is defined as the distance between the gate  78  and the second end  70  in the open position where gate  78  has pivoted the maximum possible distance over the range of motion  82  and maximized opening  74 . A wall separation distance  98  is defined as the minimum distance between the gate  78  and the first wall portion  86  or the second wall portion  90  over the pivotal range of motion  82 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8  the horizontal wall separation distance  98  is less than the vertical wall separation distance  98 . Thus the wall separation distance  98  is the horizontal wall separation distance  98 . 
     By inspection of  FIGS. 8-9  we see two different relationships of the gate separation distance  94  and wall separation distance  98 , as defined above. In  FIG. 8  the minimum wall separation distance  98  (e.g., horizontal wall separation distance  98 ) is less than the gate separation distance  94 . In  FIG. 9  the vertical wall separation distance  98  in the open position is less than the horizontal wall separation distance  98 . Therefore the vertical wall separation distance  98  defines the wall separation distance  98 . In  FIG. 9 , the gate separation distance  94  is less than the minimum (“vertical”) wall separation distance  98 . 
     Carabiner  26  includes gate  78  pivotably coupled to a first end  66  of carabiner  26 . Gate  78  is configured to clasp a second end  70  of the carabiner  26  in a closed position. Rotation of the gate  78  to an open position defines the minimum wall separation distance  98  between gate  78  in the open position and walls  86  and  90  of the carabiner  26 . The open position also defines a gate separation distance  94  between the second end  70  of the carabiner  26  and gate  78 . In some embodiments, the minimum wall separation distance  98  between the gate  78  and walls  86  and  90  is greater than the gate separation distance  94  between the gate  78  and the second end  70  of carabiner  26 . 
     In the configuration of  FIG. 9 , the first wall portion  86  and second wall portion  90  are arranged with respect to the gate  78  such that the wall separation distance  98  is greater than the gate separation distance  94 . Thus, in the second position of the gate  78 , any square or round article, loop, or hook that is large enough to enter the carabiner  26  through the opening  74  can move past gate  78  and allow gate  78  to move back to the closed position. This allows carabiner  26  to lock the article or hook securely. In other words, the first wall portion  86  and second wall portion  90  are arranged with respect to the gate  78  such that the article or hook does not force gate  78  to stay open. Ensuring that the gate separation distance  94  is less than the minimum wall separation distance  98  reduces binding and ensures that gate  78  can return to the closed position. In this manner, the carabiner  26  of  FIG. 9  provides greater ease of use for an operator than the carabiner  26  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIGS. 10-19  illustrate the lengths of various lanyards  10  measured in the test.  FIGS. 10 and 17  define two tested configurations of lanyard  10 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the test methodology.  FIGS. 12-16  illustrate the measured results of the test applied to lanyard  10  of  FIG. 10 .  FIGS. 18-19  illustrate the measured results of the test applied to lanyard  10  of  FIG. 17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , a total length  102  of the lanyard  10  can be broken down into six separate sub-lengths: (1) a length  106  of the carabiner  26 ; (2) a length  110  of the loop section  40 ; (3) a length  114  of the stitched section  44 ; (4) a length  118  of the elastic cord(s)  34  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ) between the first and second ends  18  and  22  and within the sheath  14 ; (5) a length  122  of the second linking member  36 ; and (6) a length  130  of the loop  30 . The purpose of the test is to see how the elasticity of these lengths varies while supporting various weights dropped from the height of the un-stretched elastic cord(s)  34  above a fixed anchor point (or 2×&#39;s the unsupported distance of the un-stretched elastic cord(s)  34 ). 
       FIG. 11  shows the positions of the lanyard  10  both before and after a 2× drop test. The drop test height column of the Table in  FIG. 12  uses the reference “2×” when referring to the lanyard  10  being dropped, as indicated by arrow  170 , from a height  174  that is two times the un-tensioned length  142  of the elastic cords  34  within lanyard  10 . The un-tensioned length  142  of the lanyard  10  shown in  FIG. 11  corresponds to “Pre-drop total length  102 ” column or the un-tensioned length of the lanyard  10  for the 2× drop test trials. A dotted line  178  indicates when the elastic cords  34  within lanyard  10  become tensioned and stretch. The test is designed to not extend to the fully extended length of sheath  14  to test the elastic response of the lanyard  10  system. For the lanyard  10  tests of  FIG. 10 , tool  150  is secured to loop  30  and dropped from an initial position  182  (2× the un-stretched length of the elastic cord(s)  34 ) to a final position  186  in which the elastic cord(s)  34  is fully stretched within sheath  14 . Carabiner  26  of lanyard  10  is secured at the point  162 . A fully stretched length  190  of elastic cord(s)  34  and other components of lanyard  10 , shown in  FIG. 11 , corresponds to the “Stretched Total Length  102 ” column in the Table for the 2× drop test height trials. 
     For each category of weight-rated lanyard  10 , there are three types of drop tests, as explained below. First, the lanyard  10  was subjected to a first 2× drop test while supporting the rated weight of the lanyard  10  and a peak force on the lanyard  10  was measured for this first drop. Second, the lanyard  10  was subjected to nine more individual 2× drop tests while supporting the rated weight of lanyard  10 . For each of these nine additional drops, the peak force on lanyard  10  was measured. The value listed in the Table in  FIG. 12  represents the maximum individual peak force measured among the ten total drops, which includes the first drop and the nine subsequent drops supporting the rated weight of lanyard  10 . Third, lanyard  10  was subjected to three 2× drop tests while supporting two times the rated weight of lanyard  10 , and the peak force was measured for each of those three drops. The maximum individual peak force measured among those three drops is listed in the table of  FIG. 12 . For example, for the ten-pound weight-rated lanyard  10  with a total pre-drop length of 921 mm, the peak force of the first drop while supporting ten pounds was 82 lbf, the maximum peak force over ten drops while supporting ten pounds was 123 lbf., and the maximum peak force over three drops while supporting twenty pounds was 268 lbf. 
     During a drop, the length  118  of the elastic cord(s)  34  can change between four separate stages: (1) an initial un-tensioned stage; (2) a tensioned stage when the length of the elastic cord(s)  34  is less than the length of the unkinked sheath  14 ; (3) a tensioned stage where the length of the elastic cord(s)  34  is equal to the fully extended length of sheath  14 ; and (4) a fully stretched stage in which the elastic cord(s)  34  and/or the sheath  14  become entirely stretched. In the Table above, the initial un-tensioned stage values are represented in the “Un-tensioned length  118  of elastic cord(s)  34 ” column, and the fully stretched stage values are represented in the “Fully stretched length  118  of elastic cord(s)  34 ” column. 
     When the elastic cord(s)  34  becomes the same length as the unkinked sheath  14 , it is between 38% and 115% longer than its un-tensioned length. When the elastic cord(s)  34  becomes the same length as the unkinked sheath  14 , the sheath  14  becomes tensioned, and the elastic cord(s)  34  and the sheath  14  begin stretching together as a system. As demonstrated in the Table above, the respective lengths of the sheath  14  and elastic cord(s)  34  are selected to provide a lower peak force when a weight (e.g., of a tool) is near the lanyards&#39; rated weight and when the weight on the tool  150  is dropped from a height greater than the un-tensioned length  142  of lanyard  10 . 
     Because the sheath  14  is inelastic, the fully extended length of sheath  14  roughly defines a limiting tension length of lanyard  10 . When the one or more elastic cords  34  within sheath  14  are stretched between a pre-tensioned length and a tensioned length, they are unrestrained up to the fully extended length of the sheath  14 . When the tensioned length reaches the length of the fully extended sheath  14 , the elastic cords  34  reach the limiting tension length of lanyard  10 . Thus, the tensioned length of the elastic cord(s)  34  is less than or equal to the limiting tensioned length of sheath  14 . In some embodiments, the limiting tension length of sheath  14  is between 30% and 125% greater than the pre-tensioned length of the elastic cord(s)  34 . In some embodiments, the limiting tension length of sheath  14  is between 38% and 115% greater than the pre-tensioned length of elastic cord(s)  34 . The limiting tension length of sheath  14  may be between 45% and 110% of the pre-tensioned length of elastic cord(s)  34 . The limiting tension length of sheath  14  may be between 50% and 105% of the pre-tensioned length of elastic cord(s)  34 . The limiting tension length of sheath  14  may be between 55% and 100% of the pre-tensioned length of elastic cord(s)  34 . 
     In the tests described below, the length of the sheath  14  was selected to study the elastic properties of the elastic cord(s)  34 . As such, the length of sheath  14  was selected to be greater than the elastic response of the lanyard  10  system to prevent the limiting tensioning length of the sheath  14  from interfering with the test results. 
     As shown in the Table in  FIG. 12 , test data of different weight-rated lanyards  10  demonstrate the respective stretching lengths of the above six sub-lengths when the lanyards  10  are subjected to different drop tests. In all of the drop tests listed in the Table of  FIG. 12 , the length  106  of the carabiner  26  remains constant at 86 mm and does not change as the lanyard  10  stretches. Similarly, in all of the tests, the length  114  of the stitched section  44  of sheath  14  remains constant at 36 mm and the length  122  of the second linking member  36  (e.g., nylon) remains constant at 36 mm. In other words, none of the lengths  106 ,  114 ,  122  change as the lanyard  10  is stretched while dropped. Because the sheath  14  has a large modulus of elasticity (spring constant) and a lower elasticity than the elastic cord(s)  34 , the sheath  14  limits the length the lanyard  10  can stretch. 
       FIGS. 13-16  illustrate data from the drop tests correlating respectively to the 10 lb. weight-rated lanyard  10  with a pre-drop total length  102  of 921 mm, the 10 lb. weight-rated lanyard  10  with a pre-drop total length  102  of 1381 mm, the 15 lb. weight-rated lanyard  10 , and the 50 lb. weight-rated lanyard  10 , as related to the results shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     In another embodiment of a lanyard  192  shown in  FIG. 17 , the lanyard  192  includes, in series, a first carabiner  194 , a swivel member  196 , a first linking member  198  including a loop section  202  and a stitched section  206 , a sheath  210 , a second linking member  214  including a stitched section  218  and a loop section  222 , a second carabiner  226 , a tether  230 , and a tether attachment member  236 . As in previous embodiments, elastic cord(s)  34  (not shown in  FIG. 17 ) is arranged within sheath  210  and is coupled between the stitched section  206  of the first linking member  198  and the stitched section  218  of the second linking member  214 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , a total length  240  of the lanyard  192  can be broken down into nine separate sub-lengths: (1) a length  244  of first carabiner  194 ; (2) a length  248  of loop section  202 ; (3) a length  252  of stitched section  206 ; (4) an unstretched length  256  of elastic cord(s)  34  (not shown in  FIG. 17 ) between the stitched section  206  of the first linking member  198  and the stitched section  218  of the second linking member  214  and within the sheath  210 ; (5) a length  260  of the stitched section  218 ; (6) a length  264  of the loop section  222 ; (7) a length  268  of the second carabiner  226 ; (8) a length  272  of the tether  230 ; and (9) a length  276  of the tether attachment member  236 . Additionally, total length  240  can be subdivided into first sub-length  280 , from first carabiner  194  to second carabiner  226 , and a tether  230  sub-length  284 , from tether  230  to tether attachment member  236 . 
     The same drop tests illustrated in  FIG. 11  were performed with lanyard  192  in the same manner as described above, and the results are listed in a Table shown in  FIG. 18 . In all of the drop tests listed in the Table of  FIG. 18 , the lengths  244 ,  268  of the first and second carabiners  194  and  226  both remain constant at 86 mm and 96 mm, respectively, and do not change as the lanyard  192  stretches. Similarly, in all of the tests, the length  252  of the stitched section  206  of sheath  14  and the length  260  of the stitched section  218  of sheath  14  both remain constant at 36 mm. In other words, none of the lengths  244 ,  252 ,  260  and  268  change as the lanyard  192  is stretched while dropped. This suggests that the sheath  14  has a large modulus of elasticity or spring constant and a lower elasticity than the elastic cord(s)  34 . Thus the length of sheath  14  defines a practical limit to the total extension of the lanyard  10 . The elastic cord(s)  34  is free to stretch and absorb the energy of a fall up to the extended length of sheath  14 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates data from the drop tests correlating respectively to the lanyard  192 , as related to the results shown in  FIG. 18 . Specifically it shows the percentage elongation of the elastic cord(s)  34  for 2× tests on (1) the first drop at the rated weight, (2) the maximum elongation after 10 drops at the rated weight, and (3) the maximum elongation after 3 drops at twice the rated weight for lanyard  192 . 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.