Breakaway lanyard and hardware for making same

Abstract

Amongst other things, there is disclosed a breakaway lanyard comprising a carrier body having an upper end and an opposed lower end, and a lanyard strap having a first end and a second end. The first end is releasably connectable to the carrier body. The second end is fixed to the carrier body substantially at the upper end thereof. The first end is releasable from connection with the body portion upon application to the lanyard strap of a force exceeding a threshold level of force.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to lanyards and, more specifically, to an improved breakaway lanyard and hardware for making same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Lanyards typically include a lanyard strap hung around the neck of a user for the purpose of carrying and displaying an item. Such items often include passes to an event or venue and / or pieces of identification, and may also or alternatively include advertising and sponsorship indicia. The lanyard strap is typically joined at its opposite ends to a carrier structure with which the displayed item is associated.[0003]A major concern associated with the use of lanyards is that of the safety of the user. For example, it is possible for the lanyard strap or for the carrier structure to become caught on another object and result in constriction of the neck of the user. This can result in minor to serious injury to the user, or even death.[0004]To combat this problem, some prior art lanyards ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028]Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of man

Problems solved by technology

For example, it is possible for the lanyard strap or for the carrier structure to become caught on another object and result in constriction of the neck of the user.

This can result in minor to serious injury to the user, or even death.

This results in additional cost and inconvenience to the user.

Moreover, the lanyard would be rendered useless in situations wherein the user did not possess a replacement lanyard strap.

Furthermore, the necessity of carrying replacement lanyard straps is, in and of itself, an inconvenience to the user.

Designs of this latter type require the use of one or more additional pieces of lanyard strap and one or more lanyard strap connectors, with a corresponding increase in material and / or assembly costs.

Moreover, the point at which the segments are joined can be bulky and cumbersome, and may irritate the neck of user by contact therewith, particularly upon application of force to the lanyard lanyard strap prior to release.

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