Lanyard

Abstract

A lanyard with attachment members such as a tool holding member, tether key, or carabiner, is provided. The lanyard includes one or more elastic cords within a sheath. The sheath has a much lower elasticity than the elastic cord. The higher spring constant or modulus of elasticity of the sheath limits the total extended length of the lanyard in operation. The elastic cords stretch to absorb the energy of falling equipment up to the length of the outer sheath. The attachment members may be attached to the sheath or may include components of the sheath and or the elastic cord. The lanyard allows for an elastic response to absorb the energy of a falling tool and a restraint to the total extended length of the lanyard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lanyard comprising:
 a sheath comprising:
 a first end coupled to a first attachment member, and 
 a second end, wherein a linear distance between the first end of the sheath and the second end of the sheath defines a length of the sheath; and 
   an elastic cord coupled to the first attachment member, the elastic cord extending the length of the sheath internal to the sheath and extending past the second end of the sheath to define a loop external to the sheath proximate to the second end of the sheath;   wherein the elastic cord includes a plurality of elastic strands.   
     
     
         2 . The lanyard of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord is comprised of elastic polymers. 
     
     
         3 . The lanyard of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord is comprised of natural rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The lanyard of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord is comprised of elastomers. 
     
     
         5 . The lanyard of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord comprises a plurality of elastic strands. 
     
     
         6 . The lanyard of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of elastic strands is comprised of as elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The lanyard of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric material is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The lanyard of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord is comprised of thirty-six and fifty elastic strands. 
     
     
         9 . A lanyard comprising:
 a first attachment member;   a sheath comprising:
 a sheath comprising: 
 a first end coupled to the first attachment member; and 
 a second end, wherein a linear distance between the first end of the sheath and the second end of the sheath defines a length of the sheath; and 
   a plurality of elastic cords positioned internal to the sheath, each of the plurality of elastic cords beginning at the first end of the sheath and terminating at the second end of the sheath;   wherein the sheath is kinked about the plurality of elastic cords; and   wherein each of the plurality of elastic cords is free to extend within the length of the sheath.   
     
     
         10 . The lanyard of  claim 9 , further comprising a second attachment member, wherein the second end of the sheath is coupled to the second attachment member. 
     
     
         11 . The lanyard of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of elastic cords is separately coupled to the sheath at a first end of the sheath proximate to the first attachment member and at the second end of the sheath proximate to the second attachment member. 
     
     
         12 . The lanyard of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of elastic cords has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of the sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The lanyard of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of elastic cords includes a plurality of elastic strands. 
     
     
         14 . The lanyard of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of elastic strands comprises between thirty-six and fifty elastic strands. 
     
     
         15 . The lanyard of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of elastic cords comprises four elastic cords. 
     
     
         16 . The lanyard of  claim 15 , wherein between one hundred forty-four and two hundred elastic strands extend the length of the sheath internal to the sheath. 
     
     
         17 . A lanyard comprising:
 an elastic cord; and   a sheath surrounding the elastic cord, the sheath comprising:
 a first end; and 
 a second end, wherein a linear distance between the first end of the sheath and the second end of the sheath defines a length of the sheath; 
   wherein the elastic cord extends the length of the sheath from the first end of the sheath to the second end of the sheath; and   wherein the elastic cord forms a first internal loop within the sheath such that the elastic cord terminates at a location spaced apart from both the first end of the sheath and the second end of the sheath.   
     
     
         18 . The lanyard of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic cord forms a second internal loop within the sheath, such that the elastic cord begins at a location spaced apart from both the first end of the sheath and the second end of the sheath. 
     
     
         19 . The lanyard of  claim 18 , wherein the elastic cord begins at a location spaced apart from the location at which the elastic cord terminates within the sheath. 
     
     
         20 . The lanyard of  claim 17 , wherein the sheath is comprised of nylon.