Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article suspended by resiliently stretchable hanger
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-10-09
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article suspended by resiliently stretchable hanger
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299040
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to equipment used by a worker climbing aloft, and, more particularly, to a retaining lanyard that attaches a chainsaw to a worker, the lanyard tearing away from the worker if the chainsaw is pinched in a falling limb. The bungee design reduces the working length, which decreases the potential of entanglement when working aloft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many instances, workers are required to climb trees, utility poles, or other vertical structures. For example, utility workers are frequently called upon to remove fallen limbs and trim trees away from power lines. Similarly, tree surgeons shape trees and cut dead limbs. These jobs often require the use of a gas-powered chainsaw or other tool and are commonly performed while a worker is working aloft.
Climbing and remaining stationary on a structure with a chainsaw is a difficult task. Numerous retaining devices have been developed to prevent a worker from accidentally dropping the chainsaw. These devices keep the chainsaw attached to the worker while allowing the worker to perform a job with unencumbered use of the chainsaw. Further, if the chainsaw accidentally falls, these devices allow the saw to reach a level below the worker's feet, but above the ground. Thus, the risk of damage to the chainsaw or injury to a bystander on the ground is minimized.
Many of the aforementioned retaining devices are lanyards or cords that incorporate a break-away component (e.g., swage) into their designs. One such device, entitled SNAP & SNAP CHAIN SAW LANYARD, is illustrated in a catalog by American Arborist Suppliers, Inc., as Catalog No. S190196-00. The devices comprise break-away or tear-away components that separate in response to a predetermined force. For example, when a chainsaw is dropped, an impact load (i.e., the weight of the falling chainsaw) acts on the component. Tensile forces are exerted on the component, causing it to shear or break. In order for this shearing action to occur, the tensile forces obviously must be greater than the predetermined failure point of the component. Unfortunately, the force exerted on a worker during the shearing of the component could be sufficient to dislodge the worker or cause severe injury while the worker is attached to the structure. Currently, chainsaw lanyards separate when sufficient force is applied to shear the break-away feature.
What is needed is a retaining lanyard that enables the chainsaw to tear away slowly while minimizing the force on the worker. In other words, a break-away mechanism is needed to provide a controlled tearing action over a predetermined distance when the chain saw is pinched in a falling limb.
The present invention provides such a device for use by a worker. It includes a tear-away component and a feature which minimizes the lanyard length when relaxed. The tear-away component is housed in a nylon sheath to protect the component from damage. The tear-away component is designed to separate with a force that, in general, can be withstood by the human body without a loss of balance. The novel device maintains attachment of a chainsaw to the worker and allows freedom of movement when cutting. There are numerous methods of attaching/detaching the chainsaw between a worker's fall protection belt and the novel tear-away retaining lanyard.
The lanyard construction consists of a nylon or polyester tubular web with an elastic cord center, capable of reducing its fully stretched length by one half. This feature aids in reducing the potential of entanglement when working aloft.
If the chainsaw gets caught in a falling limb while the worker is attached to the tree, the tear-away component will pull apart when an excessive force is applied. In the event that the tear-away component separates entirely, the chainsaw will be released from the worker and fall to the ground with the limb, allowing the worker to maintain his/her position within the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a chainsaw retaining device comprising a tear-away component. The tear-away component is designed to separate if an excessive force (e.g., a chainsaw being pulled by a falling limb) is applied thereto. The tear-away component is located between two discrete lanyard portions of the device. One of the lanyard portions includes an elastic cord that minimizes the overall length of the lanyard and reduces the potential of the lanyard getting caught in tree branches, limbs, etc. While the retaining device of this invention connects a chainsaw to a worker, other mechanical devices can also be attached to a worker with the inventive device.
By the use of the inventive tear-away lanyards, a chainsaw can accidentally fall out of a worker's hands without pulling the worker down along with it. The chainsaw falls to a level below the worker's feet, where it can easily be recovered. Moreover, the chainsaw will not fall to the ground, thereby minimizing the potential for damage to equipment or injury to persons below.
It is an object of the invention to provide a lanyard for attaching a chainsaw to a worker.
It is another object of the invention to provide a strong, elastic component to minimize the lanyard length while being used or stowed on a tree belt, thereby reducing the potential of the lanyard being caught on objects.
It is another object of the invention to provide an elastic component that enables a worker to reach or cut overhead.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a tear-away component that slowly separates when a force, exceeding its tolerance, is applied thereto.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a mechanism for easy product attachment/detachment which affords a worker a quick method to attach or separate him/herself from a chainsaw.
It is yet another object of the invention to minimize the force on a worker when the chainsaw is falling as a result of being pinched in a falling limb.
It is another object of the invention to allow a worker freedom to move when cutting with a chainsaw.
It is yet another object of the invention to keep a chainsaw attached to a worker at a level below his/her feet if the chainsaw falls out of the worker's hands.
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Snap & Snap Chain Saw Lanyard, from a catalog by American Arborist Suppliers, Inc., Catalog No. S190196-00.
Buckingham Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Merck Joseph C.
Salzman & Levy
Shoap Allan N.
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