Tool restraint apparatus

• US 5,130,899 A
• Filed: 07/12/1991
• Issued: 07/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Green, Kevin D. Larkin
• Original Assignee: Herman Green, Kevin D. Larkin
• Inventors: Larkin, Kevin D., Green, Herman
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/729,181
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 362/32, 362/103, 362/119, 362/157, 362/190, 362/398, 7/138, 7/901, 7/170, 24/3 A, 24/306, 24/442, 24/300, 24/301, 24/303, 224/901, 224/219, 224/220, 224/222, 224/250, 224/251, 224/267, 224/183
• US Class Current: 362/570
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/00 Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers bolt tensioners B25B29/02
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/00 Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; nail dispensers B25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 5/00 Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/314 Elastic connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

Abstract

A tool restraint includes an elongate elastomeric tether line, with a respective first and second flexible strap mounted to each end thereof. The first web strap is arranged for selective securement about an individual'"'"'s wrist, with the second strap for securement about a tool member. A modification of the invention includes magnets mounted within each strap permitting enhanced securement of the tool by the second strap and selective securement to an automotive body part for anchoring the tool preventing its loss.

Claims

1. A tool restraint apparatus for securement of a tool for tethering the tool relative to an individual'"'"'s wrist, wherein in the apparatus comprises,

a first flexible web strap, the first flexible web strap including a first web first end and a first web second end, and

a second flexible web strap, the second flexible web strap including a second web first end and a second web second end, the first web first end includes a first hook and loop fastener patch mounted adjacent thereto, the first web second end includes a second hook and loop fastener patch mounted adjacent thereto, the second web first end includes a third hook and loop fastener patch adjacent the second web first end, and the second web second end includes a fourth hook and loop fastener patch, and

an elongate elastomeric tether line, wherein a rear portion of the elastomeric tether line is mounted to the first web strap, and

a forward portion of the elastomeric tether line is mounted to the second web strap, and

the first and second hook and loop fastener patches are securable together to define the first web strap into a first loop for securement about the individual'"'"'s wrist, and

the third and fourth respective hook and loop fastener patches are securable together to define a second loop for securement about the tool, and

wherein the first web strap includes at least one first magnet member mounted fixedly to the first web strap between the first hook and loop fastener patch and the second hook and loop fastener patch, and at least one second magnet member mounted fixedly to the second web strap between the third hook and loop fastener patch and the fourth hook and loop fastener patch, wherein the first magnet member permits securement to a ferrous metallic support surface and the second magnet member permits enhanced securement to the tool, and

wherein the first web strap includes a housing member mounted fixedly thereto, the housing member including an illumination bulb contained therewithin, and a battery member mounted within the housing, and an on/off switch mounted slidably relative to the housing, wherein the on/off switch permits selective illumination of the illumination bulb, and a housing opening, and the rear portion of the elastomeric tether line directed through the housing opening in coaxial alignment with the illumination bulb, and a fiber optic cable slidably mounted within the tether line, wherein the fiber optic cable is directed from the housing opening coextensively through the tether line, and the forward portion of the tether line projects longitudinally of and medially of the second web strap, and the fiber optic cable projects laterally of the second web strap for illumination of the tool contained therewithin.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fiber optic cable projects beyond the elastomeric tether line, and the second web strap includes at least a side edge, and the fiber optic cable projects orthogonally relative to the side edge.