Continuously variable, closed loop, instrument tether

Abstract

A tether for securing a variety of instruments. The tether may include a band sized to fit a human wrist, a lanyard formed as a continuous, closed loop, an interface connecting the lanyard to the band, and a lock. The lock may adjustably pinch the lanyard to form two sub-loops therefrom. By adjusting the location where the lock pinches the lanyard, the size of one sub-loop may be continuously increased or decreased, while the size of the other sub-loop may be simultaneously, continuously, and respectively decreased or increased. Accordingly, by adjusting the location where the lock pinches the lanyard, the size of the one sub-loop may continuously vary between a minimum size and a maximum size. In one embodiment, this minimum size may corresponding to an interior diameter within the one sub-loop of substantially zero.

1 . an apparatus comprising: 
 a band sized to fit a human wrist;    a first lanyard formed as a continuous, closed loop;    an interface connecting the first lanyard to the band;    first lock adjustably pinching the first lanyard to form first and second sub-loops therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the band is discontinuous and comprises a closure facilitating application and securement of the band to a human wrist.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the closure is selected from the group consisting of a snap, buckle, and hook and look arrangement.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first lanyard is formed of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first lanyard comprises an O-ring seal.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first lock comprises a cord lock.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising an instrument.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first sub-loop engages the instrument.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second sub-loop engages the interface.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the instrument is selected from the group consisting of a screw, bolt, nail, nut, rivet, pin, wrench, driver, hammer, and power tool.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the band further comprises a closure facilitating application and securement of the band to a human wrist, the closure being selected from the group consisting of a snap, buckle, and hook and look arrangement.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first lanyard is formed of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first lock comprises a cord lock.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an instrument and wherein the first sub-loop engages the instrument and the second sub-loop engages the interface.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second lanyard formed as a continuous, closed loop and wherein the interface connects the second lanyard to the band.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second lock adjustably pinching the second lanyard to form first and second sub-loops therefrom.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a band sized to fit a human wrist;    at least one lanyard formed as a continuous, closed loop;    an interface connecting the at least one lanyard to the band;    at least one lock adjustably pinching the at least one lanyard to form at least two sub-loops, wherein adjusting the location where the at least one lock pinches the at least one lanyard continuously increases or decreases the size of one sub-loop of the at least two sub-loops while simultaneously, continuously, and respectively decreasing or increasing the size of another sub-loop of the at least two sub-loops.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the other sub-loop engages the interface.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein adjusting the location where the at least one lock pinches the at least one lanyard continuously adjusts the size of the one sub-loop between a minimum size and a maximum size, the minimum size corresponding to an interior diameter within the one sub-loop of substantially zero.  
   
   
       20 . A method comprising: 
 selecting an apparatus comprising a band sized to fit a human wrist, a lanyard formed as a continuous, closed loop, the lanyard being connected to the band, and a lock adjustably pinching the lanyard to form first and second sub-loops;    applying the band to a human wrist;    positioning an instrument within the first sub-loop; and    adjusting the location where the lock pinches the lanyard to decrease the size of the first sub-loop until the instrument is sufficiently secured therewithin.