Adjustable breakaway lanyard

Abstract

A lanyard device for safely carrying articles alone or in containers suspended from an individual's neck. The lanyard device includes a flexible cord having a first end and a second end where the first and second ends include a retaining means that can be selectively disengaged from the first and second ends when a predetermined force is applied to the retaining means. The lanyard device also includes a coupling means for coupling an object to the flexible cord. The coupling means includes a J-shaped bore, wherein the first end and the second end of flexible cord is insertable through the J-shaped bore.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lanyard device comprising: 
 a flexible cord having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first protuberance and the second end includes a second protuberance, wherein the first protuberance and the second protuberance are selectively removable from the first end and the second end of the flexible cord when a predetermined force is applied to the first protuberance and the second protuberance; and    a means for coupling an object to the flexible cord, the coupling means comprising a J-shaped bore through which the flexible cord is insertable.    
     
     
         2 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the coupling means comprises a main bore sized to engage the object by a friction fit.  
     
     
         3 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the coupling means comprises a loop capable of engaging the object.  
     
     
         4 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the coupling means comprises a snap fitting capable of engaging the object.  
     
     
         5 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the coupling means comprises a substantially flat base that is sized to engage a base of a cigarette lighter.  
     
     
         6 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the first protuberance the second protuberance are made of a resilient material.  
     
     
         7 . The lanyard device of  claim 1  wherein the first protuberance and the second protuberance comprise a body defining at least one bore sized to engage the first end of the flexible cord, the second end of the flexible cord, or both the first end and the second end of the flexible cord.  
     
     
         8 . The lanyard device of  claim 7  wherein the at least one bore includes an annular ridge capable of engaging an outer surface of the first end or the second end of the flexible cord.  
     
     
         9 . The lanyard device of  claim 7  wherein the body further comprises a clip member coupled to the body.  
     
     
         10 . A lanyard device comprising: 
 a flexible cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end include a means for disengaging the first end and the second end of the flexible cord when a predetermined force is applied to the means; and    a coupling means for coupling an object to the flexible cord, the coupling means comprising a J-shaped bore, wherein the first end and the second end of flexible cord is insertable through the J-shaped bore.    
     
     
         11 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the disengaging means comprises a first protuberance coupled to the first end of the flexible cord and a second protuberance coupled to the second end of the flexible cord.  
     
     
         12 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the disengaging means comprises a body defining at least one bore sized to engage the first end of the flexible cord, the second end of the flexible cord, or both the first end and the second end of the flexible cord.  
     
     
         13 . The lanyard device of  claim 12  wherein the at least one bore includes an annular ridge capable of engaging an outer surface of the first end or the second end of the flexible cord.  
     
     
         14 . The lanyard device of  claim 12  wherein the body further comprises a clip member coupled and biased with the body.  
     
     
         15 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the coupling means comprises a main bore sized to engage the object by a friction fit.  
     
     
         16 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the coupling means comprises a loop capable of engaging the object.  
     
     
         17 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the coupling means comprises a snap fitting capable of mating with a corresponding fitting engaged to the object.  
     
     
         18 . The lanyard device of  claim 10  wherein the coupling means comprises a substantially flat base that is sized to engage a base of a cigarette lighter.  
     
     
         19 . A lanyard device comprising: 
 a flexible cord forming a loop and having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first protuberance and the second end includes a second protuberance, wherein the first protuberance and the second protuberance are selectively removable from the first end and the second end of the flexible cord when a predetermined force is applied to the first protuberance and the second protuberance; and    a body slidably engaged with the flexible cord through a J-shaped bore, the body having a means for coupling an object to the body.