Abstract
A retention lanyard and method for securing an article to a hand of a user, the article having a pair of opposing features, the retention lanyard including a planar flexible element having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis. Also first and second end portions that include respective first and second planar flexible loop apertures on the respective first and second ends. Operationally, each of the first and second apertures are placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein the planar flexible element is positioned about the hand, the retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand in an idle state with the user's hand not engaging the article and the retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand in an active state with the user's hand engaging the article without any tether causing an additional hand to retention lanyard contact.
Claims
1. A retention lanyard for securing an article to a hand of a user, the article having a pair of opposing features, said retention lanyard comprising: (a) a planar flexible element having a first end and an opposing second end with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween; (b) a first end portion that includes a first planar flexible loop, wherein said first loop originates and terminates at said planar flexible element first end, wherein said first loop defines a first aperture; and (c) a second end portion that includes a second planar flexible loop, wherein said second loop originates and terminates at said planar flexible element second end, wherein said second loop defines a second aperture, wherein operationally each of said first and second apertures are placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein said planar flexible element is positioned about the hand, wherein said retention lanyard retains the article in contact with the user's hand in an idle operational state with the user's hand not grasping or engaging the article and said retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand in an active operational state with the user's hands grasping or engaging the article without any tether length thus allowing a single hand to retain and use the article.
2. A retention lanyard according to claim 1 wherein said first and second ends form an elongated flexible beam therebetween that is defined by a beam distance between said first and second apertures along said longitudinal axis, and said first and second apertures each have an aperture major axis that is along said longitudinal axis, each said aperture major axis has an aperture major axis length, wherein said beam distance is greater than said aperture major axis length, to operationally facilitate said elongated beam to conform to the user's hand.
3. A retention lanyard according to claim 2 wherein said first and second apertures further each have a minor axis that is positioned perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein each said minor axis has an aperture minor axis length, wherein said aperture minor axis length is less than said aperture major axis length, to operationally facilitate easier looping of said first and second apertures to the article opposing features.
4. A retention lanyard according to claim 3 wherein said elongated flexible beam combined with said first and second planar flexible loops has a K spring rate along said longitudinal axis of about one-half () pound force per inch of movement along said longitudinal axis to operationally allow for said elongated flexible beam to encompass the user's hand and to easily attach and retain the article to the user's hand in both said idle operational state and said active operational state.
5. A retention lanyard according to claim 1 wherein said first and second apertures each have a teardrop shape with a pointed portion of each said teardrop being adjacent to said elongated flexible beam, to operationally facilitate easier placement of each said first and second flexible planar loop upon the article opposing features.
6. A retention lanyard for securing an article to a hand of a user, the article having a pair of opposing features, said retention lanyard comprising: (a) a planar flexible element having a first end and an opposing second end; (b) a first end portion that includes a first planar flexible loop, wherein said first loop originates and terminates at said planar flexible element first end, wherein said first loop defines a first aperture; and (c) a second end portion that includes a second planar flexible loop, wherein said second loop originates and terminates at said planar flexible element second end, wherein said second loop defines a second aperture, wherein operationally each of said first and second apertures are placed about each one of the pair of article features, wherein said planar flexible element is positioned about a finger of the hand, wherein said retention lanyard retains the article to the user's hand, without any tether length thus allowing a single hand to retain and use the article.
7. A retention lanyard according to claim 6 wherein said first and second ends form an elongated flexible beam therebetween that is defined by a beam distance between said first and second apertures, wherein each said aperture has a perimeter, wherein said perimeter is greater than said beam distance, to operationally facilitate said first and second apertures ease of being placed about each one of the pair of article features.
8. A retention lanyard according to claim 7 wherein said elongated flexible beam combined with said first and second planar flexible loops has a K spring rate of about one-half () pound force per inch of movement, to operationally allow for said elongated flexible beam to encompass the user's finger and to easily attach and retain the article to the user's hand.
9. A retention lanyard according to claim 6 wherein said first and second apertures each have a circular shape, to operationally facilitate easier placement of each said first and second flexible planar loop upon the article opposing features.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of the retention lanyard laid out in a flat pattern to show a planar flexible element with a first end and a second end, plus a longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and a second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with a pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also an idle operational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an opposing view of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 3 shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and a second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idle operational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also an active operational state of the user's hand is shown engaging the article, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows an opposing view to FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5 shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the active operational state of the user's hand is shown engaging the article, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a use view of FIG. 4, wherein the article is a set of pruning shears trimming a branch with an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the active operational state of the user's hand is shown engaging the article, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idle operational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article, wherein in this case the article is a flashlight, with the planar flexible element engaged about the user's hand;
[0025] FIG. 8 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in this case the article is a water bottle;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in this case the article is an eye glasses case;
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a back perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, wherein in this case the article is an eye glasses case;
[0028] FIG. 11 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idle operational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article directly, wherein in this case the article is a mobile phone; and
[0029] FIG. 12 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard to show the planar flexible element with the first end and the second end, plus the longitudinal axis, and first and second end portions with the first and second flexible loops, plus first and second apertures, in addition to the article with the pair of opposing features of the article with the first and second loops having first and second apertures engaged about the pair of opposing features, also the idle operational state of the user's hand is shown not engaging the article directly, wherein in this case the article is a mobile phone wherein the first and second loops are engaged about the mobile phone case.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
[0030] 50 Retention lanyard [0031] 55 Article [0032] 60 Pair of opposing features of the article 55 [0033] 65 User [0034] 70 Hand of user 65 [0035] 71 Finger of the user 65 [0036] 75 Securing and retaining the article 55 to the hand 70 or finger 71 the user 65 [0037] 80 Planar flexible element [0038] 85 First end of the planar flexible element 80 [0039] 90 Second end of the planar flexible element 80 [0040] 95 Longitudinal axis of the planar flexible element 80 [0041] 100 First end portion [0042] 105 First planar flexible loop [0043] 110 First loop originating and terminating at the planar flexible element 80 first end 85 [0044] 115 First aperture of the first loop 110 [0045] 120 Second end portion [0046] 125 Second planar flexible loop [0047] 130 Second loop originating and terminating at the planar flexible element 80 first end 100 [0048] 135 Second aperture of the second loop 130 [0049] 140 Placing or engaging each the first 115 and second 135 apertures about each one of the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 [0050] 145 Positioning or engaging the planar flexible element 80 about the hand 70 of the user 65 [0051] 150 Idle operational state of the user's 65 hand 70 not engaging the article 55 [0052] 155 Active operational state of the user's 65 hand 70 engaging the article 55 [0053] 160 No additional tether length hand 70 to retention lanyard 50 contact [0054] 165 Branch [0055] 170 Elongated flexible beam [0056] 175 Distance of the beam 170 [0057] 180 Aperture major axis [0058] 185 Length of the aperture major axis 180 [0059] 190 Aperture minor axis [0060] 195 Perpendicular position of the aperture minor axis 190 to the longitudinal axis 95 [0061] 200 Length of the aperture minor axis [0062] 205 K spring rate [0063] 210 Teardrop shape of the first 115 and second 135 apertures [0064] 215 Pointed portion of the teardrop shape 210 [0065] 220 Planar flexible element positioned about the finger 71 [0066] 225 Perimeter of each the first 115 and second 135 apertures [0067] 230 Circular shape of the first 115 and second 135 apertures
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0068] With initial reference to FIG. 1, shown is an upper perspective view of the retention lanyard 50 laid out in a flat pattern to show a planar flexible element 80 with a first end 85 and a second end 90, plus a longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures are also shown.
[0069] Next, FIG. 2 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and a second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition, FIG. 2 shows the article 55 with a pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops having the first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also an idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging the article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0070] Continuing, FIG. 3 shows an opposing view of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 3 shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and a second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 3 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging the article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0071] Further, FIG. 4 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 4 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also an active operational state 155 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown engaging the article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0072] Moving onward, FIG. 5 shows an opposing view to FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5 shows a lower perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 5 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the active operational state 155 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown engaging the article 55, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0073] Yet further, FIG. 6 shows a use view of FIG. 4, wherein the article 55 is a set of pruning shears trimming a branch 165 with an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 15 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 6 shows the article 55 with a pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the active operational state 155 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown engaging the article 55 with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0074] In addition, FIG. 7 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 7 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging the article 55, wherein in this case the article 55 is a flashlight, with the planar flexible element 80 engaged 145 about the user's 65 hand 70.
[0075] Yet further, FIG. 8 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 8 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, wherein in this case the article 55 is a water bottle.
[0076] Next, FIG. 9 shows a front perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and a second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 9 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, wherein in this case the article 55 is an eye glasses case.
[0077] Continuing, FIG. 10 shows a back perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 10 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, wherein in this case the article 55 is an eye glasses case.
[0078] Next, FIG. 11 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 11 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging the article 55 directly, wherein in this case the article 55 is a mobile phone.
[0079] Further, FIG. 12 shows an upper perspective use view of the retention lanyard 50 to show the planar flexible element 80 with the first end 85 and the second end 90, plus the longitudinal axis 95, and first 100 and second 120 end portions with the first 105 and second 125 flexible loops, plus first 115 and second 135 apertures. In addition FIG. 12 shows the article 55 with the pair of opposing features 60 of the article 55 with the first 105 and second 125 loops having first 115 and second 135 apertures engaged 140 about the pair of opposing features 60, also the idle operational state 150 of the user's 65 hand 70 is shown not engaging the article 55 directly, wherein in this case the article 55 is a mobile phone wherein the first 105 and second 125 loops are engaged about the mobile phone case.
[0080] Broadly, in looking at FIGS. 1 to 12, the retention lanyard 50 is disclosed for securing 75 the article 55 to the hand 70 of the user 65, the article 55 having the pair of opposing features 60. The retention lanyard 50 including the planar flexible element 80 having the first end 85 and the opposing second end 90 with the longitudinal axis 95 spanning therebetween, see in particular FIG. 1.
[0081] Further included in the retention lanyard 50 is the first end portion 100 that includes the first planar flexible loop 105, wherein the first loop 110 originates and terminates at the planar flexible element 80 first end 85, wherein the first loop 110 defines the first aperture 115, again see in particular FIG. 1.
[0082] Also included in the retention lanyard 50 is the second end portion 120 that includes the second planar flexible loop 125, wherein the second loop 130 originates and terminates at the planar flexible element 80 second end 90, wherein the second loop 125 defines the second aperture 135, again see in particular FIG. 1. Wherein operationally, each of the first 115 and second 135 apertures are placed about 140 each one of the pair of article 55 features 60, wherein the planar flexible element 80 is positioned 145 about the hand 70, see FIGS. 2 to 7. Thus the retention lanyard 50 retains 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70 in an idle operational state 150 with the user's 65 hand 70 not engaging the article 55, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, the retention lanyard 50 retains the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70 in an active operational state 155 with the user's 65 hands 70 engaging the article 55 without any tether length 160 causing an additional hand 70 to retention lanyard 50 contact, see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, or in other words thus allowing a single hand 70 to retain 75 and use the article 55.
[0083] Optionally for the retention lanyard 50, the first 85 and second 90 ends form an elongated flexible beam 170 therebetween that is defined by the beam distance 175 between the first 115 and second 135 apertures along the longitudinal axis 95, and the first 115 and second 135 apertures each have an aperture major axis 180 that is along the longitudinal axis 95, each aperture major axis 180 has an aperture major axis length 185, wherein the beam distance 175 is greater than the aperture major axis length 185, to operationally facilitate the elongated beam 170 to conform 145 to the user's 65 hand 70, as best shown in FIG. 1, plus FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0084] Another option for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first 115 and second 135 apertures further each have the minor axis 190 that is positioned perpendicular 195 to the longitudinal axis 95, wherein each minor axis 190 has the aperture minor axis length 200, wherein the aperture minor axis length 200 is less than the aperture major axis length 185, to operationally facilitate easier looping of the first 115 and second 135 apertures to the article 55 opposing features 60, see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6.
[0085] A further option for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the elongated flexible beam 170 combined with the first 105 and second 125 planar flexible loops has a K spring rate 205 along the longitudinal axis 95 of about one-half () pound force per inch of movement along the longitudinal axis 95 to operationally allow for the elongated flexible beam 170 to encompass the user's 65 hand 70 and to easily attach and retain 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70 in both the idle operational state 150 and the active operational state 155, see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6.
[0086] Another option for the retention lanyard 50, is wherein the first 115 and second 135 apertures can each preferably have the teardrop shape 210 with the pointed portion 215 of each teardrop 210 being adjacent to the elongated flexible beam 170, to operationally facilitate easier placement of each of the first 105 and second 125 flexible planar loops upon the article 55 opposing features 60, see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6.
[0087] Continuing, in looking at FIGS. 7 to 12 in particular for the retention lanyard 50 for securing the article 55 to the hand 70 of a user 65, the article 55 having the pair of opposing features 60, wherein the retention lanyard 50 includes, the planar flexible element 80 having the first end 85 and the opposing second end 90, also the first end portion 100 that includes the first planar flexible loop 105, wherein the first loop 105 originates 110 and terminates 110 at the planar flexible element 80 first end 85, wherein the first loop 105 defines the first aperture 115, also see FIG. 1.
[0088] In addition, on the retention lanyard 50, the second end portion 120 that includes the second planar flexible loop 125, wherein the second loop 125 originates 130 and terminates 130 at the planar flexible element 80 second end 90, wherein the second loop 125 defines the second aperture 135, wherein operationally each of the first 115 and second 135 apertures are placed about 140 each one of the pair of article 55 features 60, see FIGS. 6 to 12. Wherein the planar flexible element 80 is positioned 220 about the finger 71 of the user's 65 hand 70, and the retention lanyard 50 retains the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70, without any tether length 160 thus allowing a single hand 70 to retain 75 and use 155 the article 55, again see FIGS. 7 to 12.
[0089] Alternatively for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first 85 and second 90 ends form the elongated flexible beam 170 therebetween that is defined by the beam distance 175 between the first 115 and second 135 apertures, wherein each aperture 115, 135 has a perimeter 225, wherein the perimeter 225 is greater than the beam distance 175, to operationally facilitate the first 115 and second 135 apertures ease of being placed about 140 each one of the pair of article features 60, further again see FIGS. 7 to 12.
[0090] Another alternative for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the elongated flexible beam 170 combined with the first 105 and second 125 planar flexible loops has a K spring rate 205 of about one-half () pound force per inch of movement, to operationally allow for the elongated flexible beam 170 to encompass 220 the user's 65 finger 71 and to easily attach 75 and retain 75 the article 55 to the user's 65 hand 70, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12.
[0091] A further alternative for the retention lanyard 50, wherein the first 115 and second 135 apertures each preferably have a circular shape 230, to operationally facilitate easier placement 140 of each the first 105 and second 125 flexible planar loop upon the article 55 opposing features 60, as best shown in FIGS. 7 to 12.
CONCLUSION
[0092] Accordingly, the present invention of a retention lanyard has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that the present invention is defined by the following claim construed in light of the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.
