Patent ID: 8701826

Claim:
A lanyard, said lanyard comprising: an energy absorbing section which exhibits a range of arrest forces having a minimum arrest force and a maximum arrest force when subjected to a load of 160 kg which free fell from 5.9 feet, wherein said energy absorbing section comprises: a first anchoring portion; a second anchoring portion; a tether having a first tether portion at the first anchoring portion and a second tether portion at the second anchoring portion; a first folded over portion formed by said tether which extends from said second anchoring portion to an intermediate portion of said lanyard; a second folded over portion formed by said tether which extends from said intermediate portion of said lanyard to said first anchoring portion of said lanyard; an energy absorbing first segment having first and second ends coupled to different portions of said tether; said first segment has a first energy absorbing portion between said first and second ends which exhibits a first range of arrest forces which encompasses said minimum arrest force, said first energy absorbing portion has a first leading end at which said first energy absorbing portion's ability to exert an energy absorbing force begins and a second trailing end at which said first energy absorbing portion's ability to exert an energy absorbing force becomes spent, an amount of material forms the second trailing end; an energy absorbing second segment having first and second ends coupled to different portions of said tether; said second segment has a second energy absorbing portion between said first and second ends which exhibits a second range of arrest forces which encompasses an arrest force greater than said minimum arrest force, said second energy absorbing portion has a first leading end at which said second energy absorbing portion's ability to exert an energy absorbing force begins and a second trailing end at which said second energy absorbing portion's ability to exert an energy absorbing force becomes spent, an amount of material forms the second trailing end; and wherein said first end of said first segment is coupled to said base portion of said first looped portion, said second end of said first segment is coupled to said base of said second looped portion.