Web end

• US 7,013,535 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Tracy, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US10/715,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20040134039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 24/34, 24/31.2, 24/31.3, 244/58, 244/84, 242/65.EE, 242/65.BC, 242/65.EC, 242/65.H, 242/65.AL, 24/34, 242/65.R, 241/15.R, 241/15.A, 241/15.H, 242/65.A, 241/29.R, 241/29.A, 40/15, 455/90, 455/351, 361/814
• US Class Current: 24/265.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1374 Neck supported holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/39 Cord and rope holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3916 One-piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3987 Loop, adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/47 Strap-end-attaching devices

Abstract

A one-piece clip or web end to join the cord ends of a lanyard is disclosed. The clip folds together and snap fits onto the cord ends to secure the ends together. The clip includes numerous pins extending outwardly from the clip body that mate with numerous pin pockets formed in the clip body to secure the cord ends together. The clip further includes mating locking tabs, and stabilizing ribs and recesses to facilitate the easy snap fit of the clip onto the cord ends of the lanyard without the use of special tools.

Claims

1. A lanyard comprising:

a lanyard cord, the lanyard cord having a first end and a second end;

a web end removably attached to the first and second ends of the lanyard cord, the web end defining opposing ends joined together by a central portion and a pair of hinges, one on each side of the ceniral portion, the central portion including a aperture and a pair of stabilizing ribs, one on each side of the aperture, each of the opposing ends having stabilizing rib recess configured to align with the stabilizing ribs when the web end is folded at the hinges, a inner wall, surface with a plurality of pin pockets extending inwardly thereof, and a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom, each pin having a pin tip, wherein the plurality of pin tips of one end of the opposing ends operatively mate with the plurality of pin pockets of the other end of the opposing ends when the opposing ends are brought together to trap and secure the first ad second ends of the lanyard cord therebetween; and

an attachment member removably mounted to the central portion of the web end, the aperture of the central portion being adapted to receive the attachment member, the attachment member defining a loop for mounting an object to the lanyard.

2. The lanyard as set forth in claim 1, wherein the web end further includes a plurality of locking tabs and recesses to permit the opposing ends to snap fit together.

3. The lanyard as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and second ends of the lanyard cord are placed between the plurality of pins and pin pockets.

4. The lanyard as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pins define spin tip, each of the pins extending through the first and second ends of the lanyard cord and each of the pin tips operatively engaging the pin pockets to secure the first and second ends onto the web end.

5. Alanyard comprising:

a cord, the cord having a first end and a second end;

a one-piece clip for joining the first and second ends of the cord together, the clip defining opposing ends joined together by a central portion, a first hinge and a second hinge, the first hinge being located on one side of the central portion and the second hinge being located on an opposite side of the central portion, the central portion including an aperture, a first stabilizing rib and a second stabilizing rib, the first stabilizing rib being located on one side of the aperture and the second stabilizing rib being located on an opposite side of the aperture, at least one of the opposing ends of the clip having stabilizing rib recesses configured to align with the first and second stabilizing ribs when the clip is folded at the hinges, each of the opposing ends of the clip, having an inner wall, surface with a plurality of pin pockets extending inwardly thereof, and a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the plurality of pockets are positioned adjacent to the plurality of pins, the plurality of pins and pin pockets securing together the first and second ends of the cord, wherein each of the plurality of pins define a pin tip, each of the pin tips extending through the first and second ends of the cord and each of the pin tips operatively mating with the pin pockets to secure the first and second ends onto the clip; and

an attachment member removably mounted to the clip for mounting an object to the lanyard, the aperture of the central portion configured to receive the attachment member.

6. The lanyard as set forth in claim 5, wherein the clip further includes a plurality of locking tabs and recesses to permit the opposing ends to snap kit together.

7. The lanyard as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first and second ends of the cord are placed between the plurality of pins and pin pockets.

8. The lanyard as set forth in claim 5, wherein the attachment member defines a loop and a projection, the projection operatively engaging the aperture in the central portion.

9. A clip for use with a lanyard comprising:

a foldable, one-piece clip body, the clip body defining an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing ends, the opposing ends joined together by a central portion and a pair of hinges, one on each side of the central portion, the central portion including an aperture and a pair of stabilizing ribs, one on each side of the aperture, each of the opposing ends on the inner surface having stabilizing rib recesses configured to align with the stabilizing ribs when the clip is folded at the hinges, a plurality of pin pockets extending inwardly thereof and being positioned in close proximity to a plurality of pins extending outwardly from the inner surface, each pin having a pin tip, wherein, the plurality of pin tips on one end of the opposing ends operatively mate with the plurality of pin pockets on the ether end of the opposing ends when the opposing ends are brought together to trap and secure first and second ends of a cord placed therebetween, the opposing ends further including a plurality of locking tabs and recesses for snap fitting together the opposing ends of the foldable clip body when the opposing ends are brought together, such that as one or both of the first and second ends of the cord are pulled or placed under an applied tension, each pin will have a tendency to bend about its respective base until the pin is prevented from bending any further on account of operative interaction with an inner wall of the associated pocket, thereby preventing the ends of the cord from being pulled out of the web under an applied tension, the aperture of the central portion being adapted to receive an attachment for attaching an object to the lanyard.

10. The clip as set forth in claim 9, wherein the central portion defines an opening through the clip body.

11. The clip as set forth in claim 9, wherein the plurality of pins are conical shaped.