Heavy Tool Tether

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for tethering devices capable of securing heavy articles are disclosed. In one possible embodiment, a tethering device comprises: an extension and retraction mechanism with a non-tangling coil system portion; a first attachment mechanism coupled to a first end portion of the extension and retraction mechanism; and, a second attachment mechanism coupled to a second end portion of the extension and retraction mechanism. The tethering device is capable of bearing a substantially heavy load. The first attachment mechanism may comprise a carabiner, and the second attachment mechanism may comprise a carabiner or a clip mechanism with male and female portions. A tertiary attachment mechanism may also be provided, which provides an internal attachment in the device to prevent it from extending. In one possible method for tethering a heavy article, a first attachment mechanism is attached to a user's person is provided, with the first attachment mechanism coupled to a first end of an extension/retraction mechanism. A second attachment mechanism is attached to a heavy article, with the second attachment mechanism coupled to a second end of the extension/retraction mechanism. The extension of the extension/retraction mechanism is caused by applying a force against a coil system of the extension/retraction mechanism, and the retraction of the extension/retraction mechanism is caused by removing the force.

1 . A tethering device, comprising:
 an extension and retraction mechanism with a non-tangling coil system portion;   a first attachment mechanism coupled to a first end portion of said extension and retraction mechanism; and   a second attachment mechanism coupled to a second end portion of said extension and retraction mechanism;   wherein said tethering device is capable of bearing a substantially heavy load.   
   
   
       2 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment mechanism is attached to a user's person, a structure, or a lift bucket. 
   
   
       3 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said second attachment mechanism is attached to a tool. 
   
   
       4 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tertiary attachment mechanism coupled to said second end portion of said extension and retraction mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The tethering device of  claim 4 , wherein said tertiary attachment mechanism may be attached to said first attachment mechanism to prevent the extension of said extension and retraction mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The tethering device of  claim 4 , wherein said tertiary attachment mechanism is comprised of a carabiner. 
   
   
       7 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said extension and retraction mechanism is comprised of an elastic, low-profile coil allowing for full arm's length extension without any adverse retraction force. 
   
   
       8 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein a force is applied against said coil system force to enable said device to extend. 
   
   
       9 . The tethering device of  claim 8 , wherein the release of said force coupled with the coil system force enables said device to retract and return to its original coil position. 
   
   
       10 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment mechanism is comprised of a carabiner. 
   
   
       11 . The tethering device of  claim 10 , wherein said carabiner is comprised of aluminum and is capable of bearing a load weighing up to 500 kg. 
   
   
       12 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end portions of said extension and retraction mechanism are comprised of nylon. 
   
   
       13 . The tethering device of  claim 1 , wherein said second attachment mechanism is comprised of a clip mechanism comprising a male clip portion and a female clip portion. 
   
   
       14 . The tethering device of  claim 13 , wherein said male clip portion fits into said female clip portion by squeezing two side tabs on said male clip portion toward one another. 
   
   
       15 . The tethering device of  claim 13 , wherein said clip mechanism is comprised of a durable, flexible plastic. 
   
   
       16 . The tethering device of  claim 13 , wherein a first lanyard is attached to said male clip portion via a durable attachment portion, said first lanyard attached to a tool, wherein said male clip portion and said attached first lanyard are removable from said female clip portion to enable the easy exchange of a plurality of other lanyard/male clip portion combinations. 
   
   
       17 . The tethering device of  claim 16 , wherein said lanyard further comprises a loop with a sliding mechanism, said sliding mechanism movable up and down said loop to tighten or loosen said loop as desired. 
   
   
       18 . A tethering system, comprising:
 a non-tangling extension/retraction mechanism;   a first attachment mechanism coupled to a first end portion of said extension/retraction mechanism, said first attachment mechanism capable of bearing a substantially heavy load; and   a second attachment mechanism coupled to a second end portion of said extension/retraction mechanism, said second attachment mechanism comprising a clip mechanism comprising a male clip portion and a female clip portion.   
   
   
       19 . The tethering system of  claim 18 , wherein said first attachment mechanism comprises a carabiner attached to a user's person, a structure, or a lift bucket, said carabiner capable of bearing a load up to 500 kg. 
   
   
       20 . The tethering system of  claim 18 , further comprising a tertiary attachment mechanism coupled to said second end portion of said extension/retraction mechanism, said tertiary attachment mechanism attachable to said first attachment mechanism to prevent the extension of said extension/retraction mechanism. 
   
   
       21 . The tethering system of  claim 18 , wherein the extension/retraction mechanism comprises a coil system portion, with the coiling attributes of said coil system portion preventing the extension/retraction mechanism from entangling when said mechanism is retracted. 
   
   
       22 . The tethering system of  claim 21 , wherein a force is applied against the coil system portion to enable extension of said extension/retraction mechanism, with the release of said force enabling said mechanism to retract and return to its original coil position. 
   
   
       23 . The tethering system of  claim 18 , wherein an adjustable first lanyard is attached to said male clip portion, said first lanyard further attached to a tool. 
   
   
       24 . The tethering system of  claim 23 , wherein said first lanyard is easily removable from said female clip portion to enable the exchange for a different lanyard attached to a different tool. 
   
   
       25 . A tethering method, comprising:
 attaching a first attachment mechanism to a user's person, said first attachment mechanism coupled to a first end of an extension/retraction mechanism;   attaching a second attachment mechanism to a heavy article, said second attachment mechanism coupled to a second end of said extension/retraction mechanism;   causing the extension of said extension/retraction mechanism by applying a force against a coil system of said extension/retraction mechanism; and   causing the retraction of said extension/retraction mechanism by removing said force.   
   
   
       26 . The tethering method of  claim 25 , further comprising attaching a tertiary attachment mechanism to said first attachment mechanism to prevent the extension of said extension/retraction mechanism, and releasing said tertiary attachment mechanism to enable the extension of said extension/retraction mechanism, said tertiary attachment mechanism attached to said second end of said extension/retraction mechanism.