Patent Description:
Arborists and other people working at height use a lanyard system to attach themselves to a tree stem or pole to permit precise positioning of their body. Such a lanyard system is separate to the working line or safety line for fall protection; it may be for positioning or for providing the main support of a user's body weight. Lanyards are often used during chainsaw cuts of a main tree stem to afford a user extra stability or better positioning.

A typical lanyard in use by an arborist is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, a lanyard <NUM> passes around a tree trunk <NUM> to allow the user to maintain position relative to the tree trunk <NUM>, for example while making a chainsaw cut The lanyard <NUM> passes around the trunk <NUM> and has a terminating eye <NUM> that attaches by way of a connector <NUM> to side attachment arrangements <NUM> on opposite sides of the user's harness. The lanyard <NUM> can be adjusted in length with a rope adjusting device <NUM> to accommodate trees of various sizes and the user's preferred working position. If forward attachment arrangements are present on the harness, a lanyard may additionally or alternatively be installed there. The lanyard <NUM> can be moved up or down the trunk <NUM> by the user reducing load on it and throwing or flipping it in the desired direction.

A swivel element <NUM> is added to one or both ends of a lanyard <NUM> to reduce torque build up during this procedure; this is particularly beneficial for those lanyards that are stiffer or contain metallic elements such as wire core lanyards. The swivel element <NUM> may be incorporated within the termination connector or as a separate swivel component to which a standard, non-swivel connector (such as a carabiner) is attached.

Lanyards are generally constructed of textile load bearing elements and cut-resistant products are available with a steel cable or wire rope core. Although this eliminates the prospect of a hand saw cutting through the lanyard and increases its resistance to cutting by motorised saws, it is still possible to cut through the core with relative ease when using a large chainsaw. A chain lanyard provides a much more cut-resistant option and provides an estimated <NUM>-fold increase in cut resistance.

The problem of how to create a chain lanyard with a smooth external surface that can be used with a rope adjustment device has been addressed elsewhere. However, effective termination of such lanyards has not hitherto been provided, and it is an aim of this invention to provide such termination.

<CIT> discloses a high-strength swivel device for transferring axial tension load while avoiding transfer of side loads may comprise a swivel chain connector. The swivel device is disclosed for use with an open link chain.

<CIT> discloses harnesses for arborism. The double harnesses include a safety work belt that comprises lanyard portions terminated by connecting eyes.

<CIT> discloses a wood pole fall protection device for linemen and pole climbers. The device the line technician with the ability to rotate or twist in the straps as well as negotiate and manoeuvre around obstacles and obstructions encountered upon the pole.

To this end, from a first aspect, this invention provides a lanyard assembly as set forth in claim <NUM>.

This arrangement provides a secure and versatile termination for a lanyard that has a chain as its tensile element.

Typically, at least part of the second link is received within the chain recess. In a preferred embodiment, the chain recess has first and second extents within which the second link and the end link respectively are received.

The connector element may be integral with the terminator body. In other embodiments, the terminator further includes a separate terminator component connected to the terminator body. The terminator body includes a threaded recess into which the connector element can be directly or indirectly threaded. Advantageously, the connector element is connected to the terminator body by a swivel which typically allows free or controlled rotation between the lanyard and a component connected to the terminator body. It is preferable that the connection between the connector element and the terminator body is independent of the connection between the chain and the terminator body; that is, either of the connector element and the chain can be disconnected from the terminator body independently of the other. This provides versatility in construction and maintenance of embodiments of the invention.

The extents of the chain recess are preferably shaped and dimensioned to minimise linear or rotational movement of the links received within them, such that the installed chain links make contact with or are very closely spaced from the material of the terminator body surrounding the chain recess. The entire length of the end link may be received within the second extent of the chain recess. Approximately half the length of the second link may be received within the first extent of the chain recess.

In typical embodiments of the invention, the chain includes a cover for its links, at least the end link projecting from the cover. Most preferably, an end portion of the cover is received within the lanyard recess to protect it from damage. Preferably, an end surface of the cover closely approaches or abuts the floor of the lanyard recess.

From a second aspect, this invention provides apparatus for use by a person working at height comprising a harness and a lanyard assembly embodying the first aspect of the invention, the terminator being connected to a hardware component being an attachment point of the harness.

The lanyard assembly may in addition be connected to a further hardware component of the harness through a second terminator and/or through a length adjuster.

Although the use of a lanyard assembly embodying the invention may commonly find application in an arborist's lanyard, it could also find application where the weight and stiffness of chain are not overly negative features and where increased cut and abrasion resistance are important. Examples include a fall protection connecting link from a harness to a working line during cutting, power washing, sand blasting operations etc. Such a link might be installed as an additional safety element when carrying out high-risk operations and might span a high-risk part of a work zone, from the harness to well above the position of the work positioning devices. As such, it would act as a backup in case the normal work position lines were damaged. It could also find application as a sliding bridge on a fall-protection harness, which find common, but not exclusive, application in the tree care industry.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

With reference to the drawings, a first embodiment of this invention provides a lanyard <NUM> that can be used in a lanyard system described with reference to <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the lanyard <NUM> includes an elongate, flexible composite line <NUM> that includes a chain of interconnected links <NUM> surrounded by a multi-layer cover <NUM>. Such a line <NUM> provides a smooth outer surface, comparable with that of a conventional flexible lanyard (and is therefore, compatible with rope adjusters and other hardware) while providing the strength and cut-resistance of a metal chain.

A terminator <NUM> is provided at one or both ends of the line <NUM>. In this embodiment, the terminator includes a terminator body <NUM> and a swivel <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the swivel <NUM> is formed in accordance with the disclosures of <CIT> and <CIT>, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The swivel <NUM> includes a boss component <NUM>, a cap <NUM>, a main axle <NUM> and a bearing <NUM>. The main axle <NUM> has a threaded shaft which is fixed within a threaded bore of the boss component <NUM> and a head which bears against the bearing <NUM> to connect the cap <NUM> to the boss component <NUM> such that the cap <NUM> can pivot about a pivot axis A with respect to the boss component <NUM>. The cap <NUM> includes a projecting, externally-threaded tubular portion <NUM> that is centred about the pivot axis. The boss component <NUM> has an attachment portion having flat, parallel, opposite-facing mating surfaces <NUM> each of which extends in a respective plane parallel to the pivot axis A and an attachment bore <NUM> that extends through the boss component <NUM> between the mating surfaces <NUM>.

The terminator body <NUM> is a generally cylindrical metal component having a cylindrical outer surface that extends about a central axis. A first axial recess <NUM> extends axially into the terminator body and is formed with an internal thread. A tapped hole <NUM> extends radially through the terminator body <NUM>, opening into the first axial recess <NUM>. The tubular portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> of the swivel <NUM> is threaded into the first axial recess <NUM> and is retained there by a locking screw (not shown) that is inserted into the tapped hole <NUM> and tightened into contact with the tubular portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. When assembled in this way, the central axis of the terminator body <NUM> and the pivot axis A of the swivel are the same, and the terminator body <NUM> can rotate with respect to the boss component <NUM> of the swivel <NUM> about that axis. It will be seen that the swivel <NUM> is a self-contained assembly which can be installed on and removed from the terminator body <NUM> without disassembly of the swivel.

The terminator body <NUM> has a second recess <NUM> (referred to as the "lanyard recess") that extends into it, extending coaxially towards, but not intersecting with, the first recess <NUM>. The lanyard recess <NUM> has a transverse floor that extends radially into it A chain recess <NUM> is formed into the floor, the chain recess <NUM> having first and second extent of <NUM>, <NUM>, each of which is shaped as a rounded rectangle with parallel long faces and opposed, arcuate short faces, each of which curves about an angle of <NUM>°, the extents <NUM>, <NUM> intersecting one another at right angles to form a cruciform opening in the floor. The first extent <NUM> has a depth that is approximately half that of the second extent <NUM>. A lock bolt bore <NUM> extends radially from the outer surface of the terminator body <NUM> to pass transversely through the second extent <NUM> of the chain recess <NUM> at a depth greater than that of the first extent <NUM>. One end portion of the lock bolt bore <NUM> is hexagonally shaped and the other end portion is counterbored.

The shape and dimensions of the chain recess <NUM> are determined by the links <NUM> of the chain. The second extent <NUM> is of depth substantially equal to the length of a link <NUM>, while the first extent <NUM> has a depth approximately half the length of a link <NUM>. Curved surfaces of the chain recess <NUM> are dimensioned to correspond with curved surfaces of the links <NUM>. As can be seen most clearly in <FIG>, this means that an end link <NUM>' of the chain can be completely enclosed within the second extent <NUM> of the chain recess <NUM>, while the immediately adjacent link <NUM>" is half enclosed by the first extent <NUM>, outer surfaces of the links <NUM>', <NUM>" being closely adjacent to side walls of the chain recess <NUM>.

The end link <NUM>' is retained within the recess by a lock bolt <NUM> installed into the lock bolt bore <NUM> with its head within the counterbore. The lock bolt <NUM> is retained by a lock nut <NUM> within the hexagonally-shaped portion of the lock bolt bore <NUM>. A locking screw <NUM> located within a bore <NUM> makes contact with the head of the lock bolt <NUM> to prevent removal of the bolt even in the absence of the lock nut <NUM>. The position of the lock bolt bore <NUM> is chosen such that it intersects the chain recess <NUM> at an axial position whereby the shaft of the lock bolt <NUM> is immediately adjacent to an inner surface of the end link <NUM>', thereby trapping the end link <NUM>' between the shaft and the innermost curved surface of the second extent <NUM> of the chain recess <NUM>. This prevents (or at least significantly restricts) both axial and rotational movement of the chain with respect to the terminator body <NUM>.

It will be seen that this arrangement for securing the chain within the terminator body <NUM> is independent of the arrangement for securing the swivel <NUM> to the terminator body <NUM>. Thus, the swivel <NUM> and the chain can be connected to or disconnected from the terminator body <NUM> independently of one another.

The cover <NUM> is omitted from a free end portion of the lanyard <NUM> approximately equal in length to <NUM> times the length of the links <NUM>. This ensures that a free end surface of the cover <NUM> closely approaches or abuts the floor of the lanyard recess <NUM>, and that an end portion of the cover <NUM> is surrounded by material of the terminator body <NUM>. The diameter of the lanyard recess <NUM> is selected such that the cover <NUM> is a close fit within it. This has the effect of providing a nearly smooth outer surface that extends from the cover <NUM> to the outer surface of the terminator body <NUM>.

A wide variety of cooperating components can be connected to the boss component <NUM> of the swivel <NUM> in this embodiment. Such cooperating components may include a yoke formation that is constituted by a U-shaped region which defines a space between two generally parallel legs, the legs having parallel, facing bearing surfaces through each of which a respective coaxial axle bore is formed. Some cooperating components are shown in the disclosure of <CIT>.

For example, in <FIG>, the cooperating component functions as a screwgate carabiner that can be used to connect the lanyard assembly to another item, such as hardware components of a harness. As with a standard carabiner, the cooperating component includes a body <NUM> that is very approximately C-shaped, with an opening. A gate <NUM> is carried on the body <NUM>, which can be pivoted between a closed position (towards which it is biased by a spring), in which it closes the opening, and an open position in which an object can be passed through the opening into or out of a space <NUM> within the body <NUM>. The gate <NUM> includes a threaded locking barrel <NUM> that prevents movement of the gate <NUM> from the closed position until it is operated by a user.

The body <NUM> further includes a yoke formation, indicated generally at <NUM>. The yoke formation <NUM> comprises a U-shaped region that is open to the outside of the body <NUM>. The U-shaped region defines a space between two generally parallel legs <NUM>, <NUM>. End portions of the legs <NUM>, <NUM> are formed with parallel, mutually facing bearing surfaces that lie adjacent to the mating surfaces <NUM> of the boss component <NUM>. A back portion <NUM> of the body <NUM> extends from yoke formation <NUM>, to an end portion that defines a first limit of the opening. A spur <NUM> extends from one of the parallel legs <NUM>, extending to an end portion that defines a second limit of the opening. In this embodiment, the gate <NUM> is pivotally connected to the spur <NUM> and can close against a nose formed on the back <NUM>.

A respective axle bore is formed through each of the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the bores being coaxial, lying on a component axis, and perpendicular to the bearing surfaces. An outer part <NUM> (that is, a part that is remote from the second leg <NUM>) of the axle bore in the first leg <NUM> is counterbored. An outer part of the axle bore in the second leg <NUM> has a hexagonal cross-section. The inner portion of each bore is of circular section and of lesser diameter than the outer portions. A tapped transverse bore extends into the first leg <NUM> and has a counterbored section adjacent to its opening. The transverse bore intersects with the counterbored portion of the axle bore, with the axis of the transverse bore extending adjacent to the counterbored portion.

The yoke component further includes an axle bolt <NUM>. The axle bolt <NUM> has a head with a recess for receiving a drive bit. A circumferential concave arcuate groove extends around an outside peripheral wall of the head. A shank extends from the head and terminates in an externally threaded section remote from the head. The threaded section is of smaller diameter than the shank such that a shoulder is formed between the threaded section and the shank.

To assemble the yoke component to the condition shown in <FIG>, the mating surfaces <NUM> of the boss component <NUM> are placed between the bearing surfaces of the first and second legs <NUM>, <NUM> such that the attachment bore <NUM> is in alignment with the axle bores. A self-locking nut is placed into the outer part <NUM> of the axle bore in the second leg <NUM>. The nut is selected to have a close fit within the bore such that its rotation within the bore is substantially prevented and to have a thread that corresponds to that of the axle bolt <NUM>. The axle bolt <NUM> is then inserted, threaded section first, through the axle bore in the first leg <NUM> and the attachment bore <NUM> of the boss component <NUM>, and the threaded section is screwed into the nut and tightened such that the nut abuts the shoulder of the axle bolt and the head is received within the counterbored portion of the axle bore, in which it is a close fit. A cap screw is then screwed into the transverse bore, where it may be secured by thread locking compound, such that its head is received within the counterbored section of the transverse bore. The shank of the cap screw passes along a section of the concave groove of the head of the axle bolt <NUM> to lock the axle bolt <NUM> against removal from the axle bore.

In the assembly of <FIG>, the lanyard <NUM> can rotate freely with respect to the carabiner body <NUM> about the pivot axis of the swivel <NUM>. Additionally, the carabiner body <NUM> can pivot with respect to the lanyard <NUM> about a transverse pivot axis centred on the axle bolt <NUM>.

In the assembly of <FIG>, a shackle <NUM> is connected, as a cooperating component, to the boss component <NUM> of the swivel <NUM>. The shackle <NUM> that also has the bearing surfaces, an axle bolt <NUM> and axle bore that allow it to function as a yoke, and this is connected to the boss component <NUM> of the swivel <NUM>. The shackle <NUM> can act as a component to allow connection of other pieces of equipment to the swivel <NUM>. In this example, a captive bar carabiner <NUM> is connected to the shackle <NUM>, but the skilled person will appreciate that many other connectors or other components could be connected to the shackle <NUM>. In the assembly of <FIG>, the lanyard <NUM> can rotate freely about the pivot axis of the swivel <NUM> with respect to the shackle <NUM> and to any component connected to it. Additionally, the shackle <NUM> can also pivot with respect to the lanyard <NUM> about a transverse pivot axis centred on the axle bolt <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> is a further modification of the embodiment of <FIG>. The boss component <NUM> of the swivel <NUM> in <FIG> is replaced by an eye <NUM>. As in the case of the boss component <NUM>, the eye <NUM> has a threaded internal bore to receive and retain the main axle <NUM> whereby it can pivot with respect to the terminator body <NUM>. Instead of the mating surfaces, the eye <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM> through which a line or connector can be passed to secure the lanyard <NUM>. The swivel <NUM> permits free rotation of the lanyard <NUM> with respect to the eye <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> does not include a swivel and has a terminator body <NUM> that omits the first axial recess <NUM>. The terminator body <NUM> is formed with a radially-projecting flange <NUM> at its axial end opposite the lanyard recess <NUM>. The flange <NUM> serves as a blocker to prevent the terminated end of the lanyard <NUM> passing through an aperture, loop or rope adjuster, such as an eye at the end of a line or a chain link.

The embodiment of <FIG> includes a shackle <NUM> that is substantially identical to that of <FIG>. However, in this case, the boss is not a separate component, but is constituted by an integrally-formed boss portion <NUM> of the terminator body <NUM>. An axial end portion of the terminator body <NUM> opposite the lanyard recess <NUM> is formed with flat, parallel, opposite-facing mating surfaces <NUM> each of which extends in a respective plane parallel to a long axis of the terminator body <NUM> and an attachment bore that extends through the terminator body <NUM> between the mating surfaces <NUM>. The shackle <NUM> is secured to the boss by an axle bolt <NUM>. As with the embodiment of <FIG>, a wide range of alternative components and devices can be connected to the boss <NUM>, and can pivot with respect to the lanyard <NUM> about the axle bolt <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A lanyard assembly comprising:
a. an elongate lanyard (<NUM>) that includes a chain of multiple interconnected links (<NUM>), including an end link (<NUM>') that forms one end of the chain and a second link (<NUM>") immediately adjacent in the chain to the end link;
b. a terminator (<NUM>) that includes a terminator body (<NUM>);
c. the terminator body having a lanyard recess (<NUM>), in a floor of which a chain recess (<NUM>) is formed; within which at least the end link (<NUM>') is received;
d. a retainer (<NUM>) that passes through the end link (<NUM>') to prevent its removal from the chain recess (<NUM>); and
e. a connector element that can be connected to an object to effect connection of the lanyard assembly to that object, the connector element being connected to the terminator body (<NUM>) by a swivel (<NUM>);
characterised in that the chain includes a cover, whereby at least said end link of the chain projects from said cover.