Lanyard Coupler, System and Method

Abstract

A lanyard coupler for selective attachment to a lanyard strap and an attachment member, the lanyard coupler including a body having a first end and a second end, an arm portion being formed toward the first end, the body tapering from the first end toward the second end. A strap receiving opening extends across a portion of the body, while a connector extends from the second end of the body.

1 . A lanyard coupler for selective attachment to a lanyard strap and an attachment member, the lanyard coupler comprising:
 a body having a first end and a second end, an arm portion being formed toward the first end, the body tapering from the first end toward the second end;   a strap receiving opening extending across a portion of the body; and   a connector extending from the second end of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the arm portion extends in a cantilever fashion. 
     
     
         3 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising a chamfer or tapered edge along a perimeter of the lanyard receiving opening. 
     
     
         4 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising a chamfer or tapered edge along a perimeter of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the lanyard receiving opening comprises a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion having a first terminal end having a generally curved profile and a second terminal end terminating toward the second opening portion. 
     
     
         6 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 5 , wherein the second opening portion extends angularly from the first opening portion. 
     
     
         7 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 6 , wherein the second opening portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the body at different inclinations. 
     
     
         8 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion extends from the first opening portion and the second portion extends from the first portion, the first portion being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second portion being transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the arm portion is connected to a body portion at a first side of the body and separated at a second side of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 9 , wherein the arm portion has a generally gooseneck shape with a hook portion at the second side. 
     
     
         11 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 10 , wherein the hook portion comprises at least one lip adjacent a junction of a first portion and a second portion forming the lanyard receiving opening. 
     
     
         12 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one lip extends towards the first side of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 11 , wherein the second portion is narrower adjacent the at least one lip than at a terminal end of the lanyard receiving opening at the first side of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an enlarged portion adjacent the connector, the enlarged portion being curved in a direction transverse to an axis of the body extending from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The lanyard coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a roughened surface surrounding the lanyard receiving opening. 
     
     
         16 .- 20 .