Tethering system for power tool and battery pack

Abstract

A tethering system for a power tool and battery pack includes a first tethering attachment assembly configured to be attachable to a power tool, and a second tethering attachment assembly configured to be attachable to a battery pack, which is detachably couplable to a battery pack receptacle on the power tool. A first flexible connector has a first end configured to be attachable to the first tethering attachment assembly and a second end configured to be attachable to a stationary object. A second elongated flexible connector has a first end configured to be attachable to the second tethering attachment assembly and a second end configured to be attachable to the first tethering attachment assembly. If the power tool falls and the battery pack becomes detached from the power tool, the first tethering attachment assembly and first flexible connector prevent the power tool from falling more than a first distance from the stationary object, and the second tethering attachment assembly and the second flexible connector prevent the battery pack from falling more than a second distance from the power tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cordless power tool tethering system comprising:
 a power tool;   a battery pack removably couplable to the power tool;   a first tethering attachment coupled to the power tool to enclose a first opening;   a second tethering attachment coupled to the battery pack to enclose a second opening;   a first flexible strap having a first end attachable to the first tethering attachment via the first opening and a second end attachable to a stationary object to tether the power tool to the stationary object; and   a second flexible strap having a first end attachable to the first tethering attachment via the first opening and a second end attachable to the second tethering attachment via the second opening to tether the battery pack to the power tool,   wherein the battery pack may be removed from the power tool without removing the first tethering attachment from the power tool, without removing the second tethering attachment from the battery pack, without removing the first flexible strap from the first tethering attachment or the stationary object, and without removing the second flexible strap from the first tethering attachment or the second tethering attachment, and   wherein, during a fall, the first flexible strap remains attached to the first tethering attachment and the stationary object so the power tool remains tethered to the stationary object, and the second flexible strap remains attached to the first tethering attachment and the second tethering attachment so the battery pack remains tethered to the power tool even if the battery pack becomes detached from the power tool.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tethering attachment comprises a U-shaped member having first and second ends attachable to the power tool at first and second attachment points. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the U-shaped member comprises a coil configured to resiliently retain an elastic state with application of force up to a threshold force, and to permanently plastically deform above the threshold force. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible strap includes a first clip at the first end that is attachable to the first tethering attachment. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first flexible strap includes a second clip at the second end that is attachable to the stationary object. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second clips comprises at least one of a carabineer or a quick release clip. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the quick release clip comprises a housing, a strap receptacle affixed to the housing, and a hook pivotally connected to the housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the quick release clip further comprises a rod axially moveable in the housing between a closed position in which the rod engages an end portion of the hook when in the hook is in the closed position and the rod may be disengaged from the hook to enable the hook to pivot to the open position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second tethering attachment comprises a U-shaped plate having first and second ends attachable to first and second attachment points on the battery pack. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible strap includes a third clip at the first end attachable to the first tethering attachment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second flexible strap includes a fourth clip at the second end attachable to the second tethering attachment. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third flexible strap having a first end configured to be attachable to the second tethering attachment on the battery pack and a second end configured to be attachable to a stationary object to facilitate changing the battery pack while the battery pack remains tethered to the stationary object. 
     
     
         13 . A cordless power tool tethering system comprising:
 a power tool;   a first battery pack removably couplable to the power tool;   a first tethering attachment coupled to the power tool to enclose a first opening;   a second tethering attachment coupled to the battery pack to enclose a second opening;   a first flexible strap having a first end attachable to the first tethering attachment via the first opening and a second end attachable to a stationary object to tether the power tool to the stationary object;   a second flexible strap having a first end attachable to the first tethering attachment via the first opening and a second end attachable to the second tethering attachment via the second opening to tether the battery pack to the power tool; and   a third flexible strap having a first end attachable to the second tethering attachment via the second opening and a second end attachable to the stationary object to tether the battery pack to the stationary object,   wherein the battery pack may be removed from the power tool and exchanged for a second battery pack without removing the first tethering attachment from the power tool, without removing the second tethering attachment from the battery pack, and without removing the first flexible strap from the first tethering attachment or the stationary object, by (1) removing the first battery pack from the power tool so that the first battery pack remains tethered to the power tool and to the stationary object; (2) removing the second end of the second flexible strap from the battery pack so that the first battery pack is not tethered to the power tool but remains tethered to the secondary object; (3) removing the first end of the third flexible strap from the first battery pack; (4) attaching the first end of the third flexible strap to the second battery pack; (5) attaching the second battery pack to the power tool; and (6) attaching the second end of the second flexible strap to the battery pack.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tethering attachment comprises a U-shaped coil having first and second ends attachable to the power tool at first and second attachment points, the coil configured to resiliently retain an elastic state with application of force up to a threshold force, and to permanently plastically deform above the threshold force. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first flexible strap includes a first clip at the first end that is attachable to the first tethering attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first flexible strap includes a second clip at the second end that is attachable to the stationary object. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second tethering attachment comprises a U-shaped plate having first and second ends attachable to first and second attachment points on the battery pack. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second flexible strap includes a third clip at the first end attachable to the first tethering attachment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second flexible strap includes a fourth clip at the second end attachable to the second tethering attachment. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, during a fall, the first flexible strap remains attached to the first tethering attachment and the stationary object so the power tool remains tethered to the stationary object, and the second flexible strap remains attached to the first tethering attachment and the second tethering attachment so the battery pack remains tethered to the power tool even if the battery pack becomes detached from the power tool.