Tool tethering method and apparatus

Abstract

A tool or set of tools is provided having a heavy-duty tether permanently secured thereto, the tether being a load rated web-strapping material which may be several feet in length and is provided with hooks and rings for temporarily shortening the length of the tether without disconnecting the tool or adjusting buckles. Each hand tool is modified and tested for permanent attachment to the tether system. The tool connection and the tether's associated hardware are all load rated as a complete unit for shock loading due to the tool being dropped several feet. The tether system may also be configured to contain several hand tools on a single tether while still allowing the use of only one tool at a time without interference from the remaining tools. The tether system and its permanently attached tools are intended to be leased to workers or their employers under a maintenance agreement for the periodic repair and re-certification of the tools and the tether system as a complete unit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for tethering a tool comprising a length of high tensile, strapping material threaded through a portion of said tool, the ends of said strapping being threaded through a portion of a heavy-duty safety snap hook and sewn together to form an elongated strap, said strapping being further sewn in a manner whereby said tool and said snap hook are maintained at opposite ends of said elongated strap.  
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said safety hook is connected to a worker's safety harness.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said safety hook is connected to a safety cable located adjacent a work area.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said strap further comprises a connecting ring located adjacent said tool.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said strap further comprises a spring clip fixed to said strap intermediate said tool and said snap hook for connecting to said connecting ring.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said tool is a large heavy hand tool.  
     
     
         7 . A tether system for tethering a plurality of hand tools comprising a length of high tensile, web strapping threaded through a portion of each said hand tool, the ends of said strapping being threaded through a portion of a heavy-duty safety snap hook and sewn together, thereby forming an elongated laminated strap, said strapping being further sewn in a manner whereby said plurality of hand tools and said snap hook are maintained at opposite ends of said strap.  
     
     
         8 . The tether system according to  claim 7  wherein said hand tools are large end-wrenches  
     
     
         9 . The tether system according to  claim 7  wherein said hand tools are large oversize screwdrivers.  
     
     
         10 . The tether system according to  claim 7  wherein said hand tools are bundled and further secured parallel to said strap by at least one hook and loop strip in a manner whereby each of said plurality of hand tools may be independently deployed.  
     
     
         11 . A tether system for tethering a plurality of hand tools comprising: 
 a) a heavy-duty safety snap hook;    b) a first length of high tensile, web strapping threaded through a swivel portion of said heavy-duty safety snap hook;    c) at least one swivel member permanently connected to at least one end of said web strapping; and    d) a second length of web strapping threaded through a portion of a hand tool, the ends of which being permanently connected to one said swivel member; and a means attached to said first length of web strapping for securing at least one said hand tool parallel to said first length of web strapping.    
     
     
         12 . The tether system for tethering a plurality of hand tools according to  claim 11  further comprising a means attached to said first length of web strapping for covering sharp pointed hand tools.  
     
     
         13 . The tether system for tethering a plurality of hand tools comprising a means for selectively deploying and manipulating a single tool permanently connected to a heavy duty tether from a bundle of hand tools permanently secured to said tether system.  
     
     
         14 . A method for using and ensuring the integrity of a tethering system for hand tools generally used in a work area above the heads of personnel comprising the step of: 
 a) providing a certified tether system custom designed and permanently attached to at least one tool;    b) leasing the use of said tether system under an agreement to periodically maintain at least one tool in proper working order and re-certify the safety integrity of said tether system.