Floating tether cords

• US 5,600,873 A
• Filed: 08/06/1993
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aspex Eyewear Incorporated
• Original Assignee: David G. May
• Inventors: May, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US08/103,185
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 24/3 R, 24/3 A, 24/3 B, 24/3 C, 24/3 M, 24/3 K, 24/300, 24/301, 24/3.2, 24/3.3, 24/3.13, 224/219, 224/221, 224/222, 224/254, 224/267, 224/269, 441/75, 441/1, 441/6, 441/133, 441/136, 351/156, 351/157, 200/330, 200/331
• US Class Current: 24/3.2
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/002 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of a single strap passing around the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0541 Eyeglasses or spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/02 Ornaments, e.g. exchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1368 Arm or leg carried holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1371 Eyeglass holder including retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1379 Key ring holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1397 Article held by flexible connector [e.g., chain]

Abstract

Buoyant tether cords that remove ignition keys from personal watercraft to safely disable the motor in the event a rider falls off. When dropped in the water the cords float so that the ignition key is not lost. The cords float horizontally to maximize visibility. The cord has an elongated embodiment and a looped embodiment. Both have a brightly colored floating body that is attached to a stretchable, coil section. The coil enables the cord to elongate or contract. Both cords have one end to be coupled to the watercraft key, and an opposite end to be coupled to the rider. The floating body comprises an elongated, tubular foam core having an interior passageway. The core is preferably made from lightweight, flexible low-density closed cell foam. The core is preferably coaxially covered by a resilient, tubular knitted fabric sheath that strengthens and colors it. Each coil comprises plastic-coated string. Ends of the coil coaxially penetrate the entire interior of the core, reinforcing the body and strengthening the cord.

Claims

1. A safety tether cord adapted to extend between a user and a watercraft ignition key for controlling and floating a watercraft ignition key, said tether cord comprising:

an elongated, flexible, looped buoyant body for floating said cord, said body adapted to be coupled to or grasped by said user and comprising;

an elongated, flexible, buoyant core of low-density, closed-cell foam;

an outer, tubular fabric sheath coaxially covering said core for strengthening and coloring said body; and

,

a pair of opposing ends;

a string adapted to be coupled to said key; and

,

clamp means for coupling said body to said string, said clamp means joining said string and both of said opposing ends.

2. The tether cord as defined in claim 1 wherein an end of said string forms a resilient loop, said loop coupled to said key.

3. The tether cord as defined in claim 1 wherein said string comprises an overall length and said body has an overall length that equals or exceeds said string length to force said cord to float horizontally.

4. The tether cord as defined in claim 1 wherein said tether cord comprises cover means for protectively obscuring said clamp means, said cover means coaxially fitted about said clamp means.