Retractable tool lanyard

Abstract

A retractable tool lanyard comprises a frame (38); a spool rotatably arranged in the frame (38) to rotate about a spool axis; a flexible lanyard line (36) carried by the spool, the lanyard line (36) having a tool attachment end (37) extending from the spool (52); and a pay-out lock having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, line pay-out from the spool is prevented, and in the released state, line pay-out from the spool against a line retraction bias is allowed, wherein the pay- out lock, when in the locked state, is configured to enter the released state based on a condition that the lanyard line (36) is pulled in a release direction (R1) relative to the frame (38), and to remain in the locked state if the lanyard line is pulled in another direction than a release direction (R) in relation to the frame (38).

Description

[0001] RETRACTABLE TOOL LANYARD

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a retractable tool lanyard.

[0004]

[0005] Chainsaws and other tools are often used by arborists for tree-care applications, wherein the arborist climbs a tree to e.g. cut branches and similar.

[0006] Climbing with cutting tools may be dangerous, and the work positions of the arborist are often far from optimal. Tree care operations may also pose a danger to people and objects below. This issue is addressed in e.g. US patent no. 11 ,945,682. There is however a need to further improve the work environment of arborists.

[0007]

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all of the above mentioned problems. To this end, according to a first aspect, there is provided a retractable tool lanyard comprising a frame; a spool rotatably arranged in the frame to rotate about a spool axis; a flexible lanyard line carried by the spool, the lanyard line having a tool attachment end extending from the spool; and a pay-out lock having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, line payout from the spool is prevented, and in the released state, line pay-out from the spool against a line retraction bias is allowed, wherein the pay-out lock, when in the locked state, is configured to enter the released state based on a condition that the lanyard line is pulled in a release direction relative to the frame, and to remain in the locked state if the lanyard line is pulled in another direction than a release direction in relation to the frame. Such a retractable tool lanyard increases the safety and comfort of the user, since inadvertent pay-out of lanyard line is prevented, while intentional pay-out in one or more predetermined release directions is still enabled. The pay-out lock may be unlocked, and pay-out may be initiated, without the user having to reach for the pay-out lock as such. Thereby, the retractable tool lanyard may be carried centrally on the user’s back, which reduces the risk of fatigue and aching back due to the carrying of an imbalanced load. There may be one or more release directions associated with the pay-out lock. For example, the pay-out lock, when in the locked state, may be configured to enter the released state if the lanyard line is pulled in any of a first release direction and a second release direction relative to the frame. Thefirst and second release directions may be in substantially opposite directions. When the retractable tool lanyard is carried in a harness or tool belt worn by a person standing up, said another direction than a release direction preferably comprises a pull direction vertically downwards, i.e. the downwards direction is a non-release direction. Thereby, the weight of the tool can be carried by the retractable tool lanyard without inadvertent line release taking place. The release direction(s) may preferably be directed sideways when the retractable tool lanyard is mounted centrally on the back of a user. According to embodiments, the lanyard line may have a total length of less than 3 metres, and more preferably, of less than 2 metres.

[0009] Thereby, if a tool attached to the tool attachment end is dropped, the retractable tool lanyard will not be exposed to excessive loads. Preferably, the lanyard line has a total length of at least 1,1 metres. Thereby, the length of the lanyard line does not unduly limit the user’s working reach using the tool. The lanyard line may, for example, be a textile line, i.e. a line of flexible textile fibre. For example, the lanyard line may be a cord or rope of several strands which may be braided, woven, plied, knit, or otherwise twisted together. According to embodiments, the lanyard line has a circular cross-section. An exemplary diameter may be between 1 ,5 mm and 5 mm. The frame may be configured as an outer housing enclosing the spool. The spool axis defines a cylindrical coordinate system, and thereby also defines a radial direction and a circumferential direction in relation to the spool axis, which directions are sometimes referred to hereinbelow.

[0010] According to embodiments, in the locked state, the tool attachment end of the lanyard line may be attached to a first locking slot of said frame, and the lanyard line is configured to be pulled out of said locking slot by pulling in said release direction. Such a configuration is particularly simple and reliable.

[0011] According to embodiments, the pay-out lock may further comprise a line key fixed to the lanyard line, wherein said first locking slot communicates with a first key passage aperture configured to receive the line key when the lanyard line is fully retracted, wherein said first locking slot is configured to interlock with the line key. Thereby, the line key may be released from its interlock with said first locking slot by being moved from the first locking slot to the key passage aperture. Such a configuration requires little or no effort to release the pay-out lock. The first key passage aperture may face in a first release direction. According to embodiments, the line key may comprise a line key waist configured to be received in and interlock with said first locking slot. The lanyard line may pass through the line key. Optionally,a knot of the lanyard line may interlock with the line key. In an alternative embodiment, according to which the lanyard line does not have a line key, the lanyard line locking slot may be configured to attach directly to the lanyard line, for example by interlocking with a knot on the lanyard line itself, or by means of a cleat configured to lock directly to a straight segment of lanyard line, such as a clam cleat or a V-cleat.

[0012] According to embodiments, said first locking slot may communicate with a second key passage aperture configured to receive the line key. The second key passage aperture may face in a second release direction different from the first release direction. Such a configuration facilitates releasing the pay-out lock in different use scenarios. For example, the first and second key passage apertures may be positioned on opposite lateral sides; thereby, release directions will be available for both left-handed and right-handed users.

[0013] According to embodiments, the line key may comprise a line key waist configured to be received in and interlock with any of the first and second locking slots, wherein the first locking slot communicates with the second locking slot and the second key passage aperture via a line passage slot having a width which is smaller than the line key waist. Thereby, the line key needs to be released from the locking slots and the lanyard line needs to be partly extended in order to reconfigure the retractable tool lanyard between left-handed and right-handed use.

[0014] According to embodiments, the retractable tool lanyard may further comprise a line guide between the frame and the spool, wherein the line guide is movable relative to the frame and the spool in a circumferential direction about the spool axis. When pulling the lanyard line in a release direction, the line guide may, by the pulling tension in the lanyard line, position itself in register with the first, or any second, as the case may be, key passage aperture, and remain there while the user operates the tool with the lanyard line extended. When the line retraction bias is allowed to reel in the lanyard line, the line guide may guide the line to enter the frame at the position of said first or second key passage aperture, and thereby assist in guiding the line key to the key passage aperture. The line guide may be configured as a line guide aperture through a guide drum enclosing the spool.

[0015] According to embodiments, the retractable tool lanyard may comprise a line key blocker configured to move relative to the frame and the spool in a circumferential direction about the spool axis together with the line guide, wherein the line key blocker is configured to restrict circumferential movement of the line key inrelation to the line guide. Thereby, when the line guide is not aligned with said first key passage aperture, the line key blocker may prevent the line key from moving circumferentially from the line guide to said first key passage aperture. The line key blocker may be configured as one or more line key barriers provided on the outer face of a guide drum. For example, the line key blocker may comprise a pair of line key barriers positioned on circumferentially opposite sides of the line guide.

[0016] According to embodiments, the retractable tool lanyard may further comprise a guide lock having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, the guide lock restricts movement of the line guide in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the line guide may be locked in a position in which it is not in register with the first and / or any second key passage aperture. When the line guide is locked in such a position, the line key cannot easily be moved to a key passage aperture. When in its locked state, the guide lock reduces the risk that any inadvertent pulling of the lanyard line in a release direction, due to e.g. the tool getting entangled in branches, inadvertently causes the spool to pay out lanyard line. The guide lock may comprise an operation interface for moving the guide lock between the locked state and the released state using one or more fingers. Preferably, the guide lock is positioned on a top face of the frame. Thereby, the guide lock cannot be inadvertently released by a swaying tool. Moreover, it is accessible from both lateral sides of the retractable tool lanyard, which facilitates use for both left-handed and right-handed users.

[0017] According to embodiments, the guide lock may comprise an operation interface for moving the guide lock between the locked state and the released state, wherein the operation interface comprises a seesaw button having a lock lever and a release lever on opposite sides of a pivot axis, wherein the lock lever comprises a guide lock element configured to be pressed into interference with the line guide when the lock lever is pressed towards the spool axis, and the release lever is configured to draw the guide lock element out of interference with the line guide when the release lever is pressed towards the spool axis. Such a design is simple, reliable, and requires few parts only.

[0018] According to embodiments, a proximal portion of the line key may comprise a passage aperture guide segment which tapers towards the spool. Thereby, automatic re-attachment of the line key at the frame is facilitated.

[0019] Similarly, according to embodiments, said first key passage aperture may comprise a key guide segment which tapers towards the spool. Also in this manner,automatic re-attachment of the line key at the frame may be facilitated. Any second key passage aperture may be configured similarly.

[0020] According to embodiments, the frame may have a proximal side configured to face a body of a user of the retractable tool lanyard, when the retractable tool lanyard is in use, and a distal side configured to face away from the body of the user when the retractable tool lanyard is in use, wherein said first key passage aperture is axially offset from an axial midpoint of the spool towards the distal side of the frame, and / or said key passage aperture faces in an aperture direction away from the proximal side of the frame which aperture direction forms an angle of less than 85° with the spool axis. Such a configuration increases the user’s comfort and safety even further, since pay-out and retraction of lanyard line is further facilitated, and the risk of any entanglement or interference with other items attached to a tool belt or harness near the retractable tool lanyard is reduced. Preferably, also the locking slot is axially offset from the axial midpoint of the spool towards the distal side of the frame. Any second key passage aperture and / or second locking slot may be offset in the same manner, and / or face in a similar aperture direction.

[0021] According to embodiments, the line key may be rigidly connected to a tool connector. Such a configuration minimizes any swaying of the tool when the tool hangs from the retractable tool lanyard with the line key interlocking with the frame.

[0022] According to embodiments, the retractable tool lanyard may comprise a tool belt connection arrangement configured to non-rotatably attach the frame to a tool belt or harness. Such an attachment facilitates pulling the lanyard line in a desired release direction without the frame rotating or re-orienting itself while pulling.

[0023] Alternatively, the tool belt connection arrangement may allow various movement in relation to the belt or harness; for example, the tool belt connection arrangement may comprise a suspension loop or a carabiner.

[0024] According to embodiments, the tool belt connection arrangement may comprise a belt clip comprising a frame connector, and a clip connector attached to the frame, wherein the clip connector is connectable to the frame connector via a quick-release connection. Such an arrangement facilitates attachment and detachment of the tool to / from a tool belt or harness. The clip connector may comprise one of a T-slot and a slider keyed to the T-slot, and the frame connector may comprise the other of said T-slot and slider keyed to the T-slot. The quickrelease connection may comprise a lock-and-release element configured to lock theslider in the T-slot, wherein the lock-and-release element may movable against a bias to a position in which it does not lock the slider in the T-slot.

[0025] According to embodiments, the spool may have a proximal side configured to face the body of the user, when the retractable tool lanyard is in use, and a distal side configured to face away from the body of the user when the retractable tool lanyard is in use, wherein the retraction bias is generated by a spiral spring positioned on the proximal side of the spool. The position of the spiral spring positions the spool a bit further out from the body, which reduces the risk that the lanyard line entangle with body parts, clothing, or any other elements carried in a harness or tool belt.

[0026] According to embodiments, the retractable tool lanyard may be configured to retract the lanyard line by a retraction bias of less than 15 N. Thereby, no large force is required for pulling out the lanyard line, such that the workload of the user is maintained on a reasonable level. According to further embodiments, the retraction bias may be at least 3 N. The most preferred retraction bias may typically be between 5 N and 10 N.

[0027] According to a second aspect, there is provided a retractable tool lanyard comprising a frame; a spool rotatably arranged in the frame; and a flexible lanyard line carried by the spool, the lanyard line having a tool attachment end extending from the spool, wherein the tool attachment end of the lanyard line is provided with a frame connector, and the frame comprises a tool suspension connector configured to attach to the frame connector. Thereby, no additional tool suspension points are required on the tool belt or harness of the user, which reduces the tendency of the tool belt or harness to entangle with e.g. branches. The retractable tool lanyard may be further configured in accordance with any of the embodiments defined hereinabove. The frame may be a metal frame, such as a frame of an aluminium- or magnesium-based alloy. Such a configuration results in a high strength of the tool suspension connector, well adapted for heavy tools such as chainsaws.

[0028] According to embodiments, the frame may comprise a lanyard line guide configured to, when retracting the lanyard line onto the spool, guide the frame connector to the tool suspension connector. Thereby, the work environment of the user is substantially improved, since the user does not need to lift and position the tool in an oftentimes awkward position on e.g. the user’s back, and at the same time operate a suspension mechanism, such as a carabiner, for suspending the tool on the belt or harness. The line guide may be configured as a line aperture in the frame.The line aperture may be a key passage aperture as defined herein. Preferably, the frame connector is configured to automatically interlock with the tool suspension connector. Typically, the frame connector may be configured to automatically interlock with the tool suspension connector when the lanyard line reaches a fully retracted state on the spool.

[0029] According to embodiments, the frame connector may be configured as a line key fixed to the lanyard line, and the tool suspension connector is configured as a locking slot of the frame, wherein the locking slot is configured to receive and interlock with the line key. The line key and locking slot may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments defined hereinabove.

[0030] According to a third aspect, there is provided a retractable tool lanyard comprising a frame; a spool rotatably arranged in the frame; and a flexible lanyard line carried by the spool, the lanyard line having a tool attachment end extending from the spool, wherein the tool attachment end is provided with a tool connector comprising a curved suspension loop guide configured to mate with a curved suspension loop of a power tool. The curved suspension loop guide defines, together with the curved suspension loop of the power tool, a connection which is at least partly restricted in terms of flexibility. Thereby, any tendency of the tool to sway in relation to the tool connector is reduced, which increases the comfort and safety of the user. Preferably, the suspension loop of the power tool is formed of a rigid material such as metal.

[0031] According to embodiments, the tool connector may further comprise a lanyard line guide comprising a first guide segment and a second guide segment separated from each other by a gap, wherein a distal end of the lanyard line is configured to interlock with the second guide segment and a proximal segment of the lanyard line is configured to slide along the first guide segment, such that a portion of the lanyard line passing the gap defines a noose. Such an interface enables the tool connector to be connected to tools of any design, whether they have a loop mating with the suspension loop guide or not.

[0032] It is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims, as well as of the further embodiments defined hereinabove. Moreover, the retractable tool lanyards according to the second and third aspect may be combined with any of the embodiments according to the first aspect, and vice versa.Brief description of the drawings

[0033] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0034] Fig. 1 is an illustration of an arborist climbing a tree;

[0035] Fig. 2A is a plan view of an arborist’s climbing harness as seen from the front; Fig. 2B is a plan view of the climbing harness of Fig. 2A as seen from the back;

[0036] Fig. 3 is a plan view of a back plate of the harness of Figs 2A and 2B, along with a chainsaw attached to the back plate via a retractable tool lanyard according to a first embodiment;

[0037] Fig. 4A is a plan view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 with a lanyard line partly extended in a first direction, and a pay-out lock in a released state;

[0038] Fig. 4B is an oblique view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3, with the lanyard line fully retracted;

[0039] Fig. 4C is an oblique view of a reverse side the retractable tool lanyard of Fig.

[0040] 3;

[0041] Fig. 4D is a view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 as seen obliquely from below;

[0042] Fig. 4E is a plan view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 with the lanyard line partly extended in a second direction;

[0043] Fig. 5A is an exploded view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 illustrated in a first perspective;

[0044] Fig. 5B is an exploded view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 illustrated in a second perspective;

[0045] Fig. 6 illustrates a section of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3, the section taken along the plane VI-VI indicated in Fig. 4A;

[0046] Fig. 7 illustrates a section of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3, the section taken along the plane VII-VII indicated in Fig. 6;

[0047] Fig. 8 illustrates a section of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3, the section taken in a first section plane perpendicular to the section planes of Figs 6 and 7, and illustrates the pay-out lock of Fig. 4A in a locked state;Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a tool connector of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3;

[0048] Fig. 10 illustrates a section of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3, the section taken in a second section plane perpendicular to the section planes of Figs 6 and 7;

[0049] Fig. 11 is section of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 3 corresponding to the section of Fig. 9, with a lanyard line of the retractable tool lanyard illustrated in a noose configuration;

[0050] Fig. 12A is a plan view of a retractable tool lanyard according to a second embodiment, with a pay-out lock in a locked state;

[0051] Fig. 12B is a side view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 12A; and

[0052] Fig. 12C is a plan view of the retractable tool lanyard of Fig. 12A with the payout lock in a released state.

[0053] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

[0054] Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

[0055] Fig. 1 illustrates an arborist 10 climbing a tree 12 to perform tree care using a power tool embodied as a chainsaw 14. For reasons of safety, the arborist 10 wears a climbing harness 16 secured to the tree 12 via ropes 18. When not in use, the chainsaw 14 is typically attached directly to the harness 16 to free the hands of the arborist for moving about in the tree 12, but when the chainsaw 14 is operated, it only remains connected to the harness 16 via a flexible tool lanyard 20. The tool lanyard 20 is sufficiently long to enable the user, i.e. arborist 10, to freely operate the chainsaw 14, while at the same time securing the chainsaw 14 to the arborist 10 such that it can not be dropped to the ground. Otherwise, the chainsaw 14 might break when hitting the ground, or cause damage or injury to objects or people below. In the situation illustrated in Fig. 1, the arborist 10 has dropped the chainsaw 14 such that it has been caught by the lanyard 20.

[0056] Figs 2Aand 2B illustrate a typical climbing harness 16 of an arborist 10. The harness 16 comprises a waist belt 22 and a pair of leg hoops 24a, 24b. The waist belt 22 holds a padded back plate 26 provided with a plurality of anchoring interfaces 28 for connecting ropes, carabiners, tools and the like to the harness 16.

[0057] Fig. 3 illustrates a retractable tool lanyard 30 attached to an anchoring interface 28a (Fig. 2B) at the back plate 26. The anchoring interface 28a isconfigured as a horizontally extending segment of the waist belt 22 threaded through the back plate 26. The retractable tool lanyard 30 comprises a tool connector 32 connected to a suspension loop 34 of a chainsaw 14.

[0058] Figs 4A-4D illustrate the retractable tool lanyard 30 from different perspectives. Starting with Fig. 4A, the retractable tool lanyard 30 comprises a flexible lanyard line 36 having a tool attachment end 37 provided with the tool connector 32. The tool connector 32 integrally formed with a line key 33, which comprises a line key waist 33a and a lock flange 33b which is wider than the line key waist 33a. The lanyard line 36 is wound up on a spool (not visible) rotatably arranged in a frame 38 so as to be rotatable about a spool axis A (Fig. 4B). The frame 38 is configured as an outer housing 39 of aluminium which encloses the spool, and comprises a first key passage aperture 40a and a second key passage aperture 40b shaped to receive the line key 33. In the view of Fig. 4A, the lanyard line 36 extends from the spool through the first key passage aperture 40a. The lanyard line 36 has a total length of about 1 ,5 metres, most of which is wound up onto the spool in the view of Fig. 4A. The lanyard line 36 is a braided rope of circular cross-section, having a diameter of about 3 mm.

[0059] Lanyard line 36 can be drawn from the spool by pulling the lanyard line 36 against a retraction bias, which biases the spool to wind up the lanyard line 36 back onto the spool. The retraction bias varies from about 6 N to about 8 N depending on the amount of lanyard line 36 that has been paid out from the spool. In the view of Fig. 4A, if the lanyard line 36 is allowed to be fully retracted by the retraction bias, the line key 33 will enter the key passage aperture 40a.

[0060] Fig. 4B illustrates the retractable tool lanyard 30 with the lanyard line (Fig. 4A) fully retracted onto the spool (not visible), and accordingly, with the line key 33 received in the first key passage aperture 40a. The tool connector 32 comprises a first set of guide openings 42 and a second set of guide openings 44, which will be described further below.

[0061] Fig. 4C illustrates a proximal side 38a of the frame 38 configured to face the body I lower torso of the user of the retractable tool lanyard 30 when in use. On its proximal side 38a, the frame 38 is provided with a tool belt connection arrangement 46 configured to attach the frame 38 to a tool belt or harness, such as to the attachment interface 28a defined by the waist belt 22 of the harness 16 of Fig. 2B, which in Fig. 4C is schematically illustrated in broken lines. By tightly enclosing the waist belt 22, the tool belt connection arrangement 46 prevents any substantialrotation about the spool axis A (Fig. 4B) of the retractable tool lanyard 30 on the harness 16 (Fig. 3) when pulling the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) in any direction.

[0062] Fig. 4D illustrates the frame 38 from below. The first key passage aperture 40a (Fig. 4A) communicates with a first locking slot 48a. The first locking slot 48a has a slot width W1 which is wider than the line key waist 33a, but narrower than the lock flange 33b of the line key 33. Thereby, when the line key 33 is received in the first key passage aperture 40a, the line key 33 can be slid into the first locking slot 48a such that the line key waist 33a passes through the first locking slot 48a, and the lock flange 33b interlocks with the first locking slot 48a to prevent the lanyard line 36 (Fig.

[0063] 4A) from being drawn out from the spool.

[0064] When the line key 33 interlocks with the first locking slot 48a, the retractable tool lanyard 30 is prevented from paying out lanyard line 36 if the tool connector 32 is pulled e.g. vertically downwards by the weight of the chainsaw 14 (Fig. 3).

[0065] Accordingly, the interlock between the line key 33 and the first locking slot 48a defines a pay-out lock 49, which in the situation illustrated in Fig. 3 is held in a locked state by the weight of the chainsaw 14. Pulling the tool connector 32 horizontally to the right, on the other hand, will move the tool connector 32 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4B, in which the line key 33 is positioned in register with the first key passage aperture 40a. In this position, the lock flange 33b of the line key 33 is free from it interlock with the first locking slot 48a, and pay-out of lanyard line 36 is thereby allowed as illustrated in Fig. 4A. Accordingly, in the position illustrated in Fig. 4B, the pay-out lock defined by the line key 33 and the first locking slot 48a is in a released state. The pull direction R1 illustrated in Fig. 4A is a first release direction which, if the line key 33 is positioned in the first locking slot 48a, moves the line key to the first key passage aperture 40a and thereby releases the pay-out lock. If the line key 33 is pulled in a downwards direction, on the other hand, the pay-out lock remains in the locked state. Thereby, the downwards direction is a non-release direction N, illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0066] As illustrated in Fig. 4D, the second key passage aperture 40b communicates with a second locking slot 48b of the same slot width W1 as the first locking slot 48a. The first and second locking slots 48a, 48b are connected to each other via a line passage slot 50 having a width W2 which is smaller than the line key waist 33a, but wider than the diameter of the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A). Thereby, when the line key 33 has been partly drawn out from the first key passage aperture 40a as illustrated in Fig. 4A, the lanyard line 33 (Fig. 4A) may be passed through the passage slot 50,and the line key 33 may instead be allowed to be drawn into the second key passage aperture 40b by the retraction bias of the spool. In this way, the retractable tool lanyard 30 can easily be reconfigured between use on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of user. Fig. 4E illustrates the retractable tool lanyard 30 after having been reconfigured for use on the left-hand side of the user. When the line key 33 interlocks with the second locking slot 48b (Fig. 4D), it can be released by pulling in a second release direction R2.

[0067] The exploded views of Figs 5A and 5B illustrate, from two different perspectives, various components of the retractable tool lanyard 30. The frame 38, defined by the housing 39 (Fig. 4A), comprises an outer, distal housing part 39a facing away from the user / arborist 10, and a proximal housing part 39b facing towards the user. The housing 39, defined by the housing parts 39a, 39b, encloses the spool 52, onto which the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) is wound up. The spool 52 has a proximal side 52a (Fig. 5B) configured to face the body of the user, when the retractable tool lanyard 30 is in use, and a distal side 52b (Fig. 5A) configured to face away from the body of the user.

[0068] A guide drum 54 is arranged radially between the frame 39 and the spool 52. The guide drum 54 comprises a line guide aperture 54a via which the lanyard line 36 passes in the radial direction from the spool 52 towards the tool connector 32. Roller elements 54b at the line guide aperture 54a reduce the friction between the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) and the guide drum 54. The line guide aperture 54a defines a line guide 55 which determines the circumferential position at which the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) is reeled off from the spool 52, and at which the lanyard line 36 is rolled back onto the spool 52 by the retraction bias. The guide drum 54 is movable relative to the frame 39 and the spool 52 in a circumferential direction about the spool axis A such that the line guide aperture 54a can assume different positions, from being in register with the first key passage aperture 40a, via a range of intermediate positions where it faces the first and second locking slots 48a, 48b, to being in register with the second key passage aperture 40b (Fig. 4D).

[0069] A line key blocker 57 (Fig. 5A) comprises a pair of line key barriers 57a, 57b positioned on circumferentially opposite sides of the line guide aperture 54a. The line key barriers 57a, 57b extend from a radially outer face of the guide drum 54, and thereby move in the circumferential direction together with the line guide aperture 54a. When the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) is fully retracted onto the spool 52, the line key 33 is received between the line key barriers 57a, 57b, such that the line keybarriers prevent the line key 33 from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the line guide aperture 54a.

[0070] The retractable lanyard 30 further comprises a guide lock 56. The guide lock 56 is configured as a seesaw button mounted to pivot about a lock pivot axis L between a released state, in which the guide drum 54 is movable about the spool axis A relative to the frame 38, and a locked state in which the guide lock 56 restricts movement of the guide drum 54 about the spool axis A.

[0071] The operation interface of the guide lock 56 comprises a release lever 56a and a lock lever 56b on opposite sides of the lock pivot axis L. In the released state, assumed when pressing the release lever 56a, the guide drum 54 is free to rotate about the drum axis A. In this state, the line guide 55 freely moves circumferentially about the spool 52 to follow the position of the lanyard line 36 (Fig. 4A) when line is paid out from the spool 52. In the locked state, assumed when pressing the lock lever 56b (Fig. 5B) towards the spool axis A, a guide lock element 56c of the guide lock 56 interferes with one or more radially extending lock tabs 54c of the guide drum 54, and thereby also restricts circumferential movement of the line guide 55, defined by the line guide aperture 54a, as well as the line key blocker 57, within the housing 39. The guide lock 56 is pivotally arranged in a guide lock housing 39c above the spool 52. The release lever 56a is configured to, when pressed towards the spool axis A, draw the guide lock element 56c out of interference with the guide drum 54.

[0072] A guide lock spring 58 causes the guide lock 56 to be bistable, so as to remain in one of said locked and released states until manually pivoted to the other of said locked and released states. By means of the guide lock 56, the guide drum 54 can be locked in a position in which the line guide aperture 54a, and the line key 33 received between the line key barriers 57a, 57b, are not in register with any of the key passage apertures 40a, 40b. This may be the case, for example, when the line guide aperture 54a faces any of the first and second locking slots 48a, 48b. When the payout lock is in the locked state, i.e. the line key 33 interlocks with any of the locking slots 48a, 48b, and the guide lock 56 is in its locked state, the line key 33 thereby cannot be moved to a key passage aperture 40a, 40b, and lanyard line 36 cannot be paid out unless the guide lock 56 is released.

[0073] A coil spring 60, positioned on the proximal side of the spool 52 between the guide drum 54 and the proximal housing part 39b, has a radially outer end 60a attached to the frame 38, more precisely to the proximal housing part 39b, and a radially inner end 60b attached to the spool 52. The coil spring 60 generates the lineretraction bias of the spool 52 about the spool axis A when paying out lanyard line 36 from the spool 52.

[0074] The tool belt connection arrangement 46 (Fig. 4C) comprises a belt clip 62 comprising a first belt clip part 64 and a second belt clip part 66, which are connectable to each other by means of a hook arrangement 64a integrally formed with the first belt clip part 64, and screw 68. The belt clip 62 is thereby configured to, after connecting the hook arrangement 64a to the second belt clip part 66 and joining the parts 64, 66 with the screw 68, clamp the waist belt 22 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4C and the section of Fig. 6, and form a closed look about the waist belt 22 such that the belt clip 62 cannot inadvertently fall off.

[0075] The second belt clip part 66 comprises a frame connector 70 (Fig. 5A) integrally formed therewith, and the frame 38 comprises a clip connector 72 (Fig. 5B) connectable to the frame connector 70 via a quick-release connection. More precisely, the frame connector 70 (Fig. 5A) comprises a downwards tapering T-slot provided with a pair of opposing slot rails 70a, 70b and a locking hook 70c. The clip connector 72 comprises a slider provided with a pair of opposing slide rails 72a, 72b keyed to the T-slot, and a lock-and-release element 72c configured to engage with the locking hook 70c when the slide rails 72a, 72b are fully received in the slot 70. The lock-and-release element 72c fits in a pocket 72d, and is biased by a clip lock spring 72e towards engagement with the locking hook 70c. Pressing the lock-and-release element 72c against the bias of the clip lock spring 72e releases the lock-and-release element 72c from the locking hook 70c, such that the clip connector 72 of the frame 38 can be disconnected from the frame connector 70 of the belt clip 62 without the use of any tools.

[0076] The vertical section of Fig. 6 illustrates the elements of the belt clip 62, the frame connector 70, and the clip connector 72 when connected together.

[0077] The horizontal section of Fig. 7 illustrates in greater detail the position and orientation of the first and second key passage apertures 40a, 40b. An axial midpoint M of the spool 52, i.e. the point along the spool axis A which divides the lanyard line storage space of spool 52 in equal parts, is indicated in the drawing. The centre C of the second key passage aperture 40 is axially offset from the axial midpoint M of the spool 52 towards the distal side 38b of the frame 38. The second key passage aperture 40b further faces in an aperture direction D away from the proximal side 38a of the frame 38. The aperture direction D forms an angle a of about 65° with thespool axis A. As apparent from the drawing, the first key passage aperture 40a is positioned and oriented similarly, mutatis mutandis.

[0078] Fig. 7 also clearly illustrates that a proximal face 33c of the of the lock flange 33b of the line key 33 tapers towards the spool 32, and thereby forms a passage aperture guide segment centring the line key 33 within the first key passage aperture 40a when the line key 33 is drawn into the first key passage aperture 40a by the retraction bias of the spool 52. While not illustrated, it will be appreciated that also the key passage apertures 40a, 40b may comprise respective key guide segments which taper towards the spool 52, to help guiding and aligning the line key 33 in the respective first and second key passage apertures 40a, 40b.

[0079] The section of Fig. 8 is taken along the locking slots 48a, 48b, and illustrates the line key 33 in a state where it has been slid from the first key passage aperture 40a into interlocking engagement with the first locking slot 48a. When the pay-out lock 49 is in the illustrated locked state of Fig. 8, any tool, such as the chainsaw 14 (Fig. 3), which may be connected to the tool connector 32, will be suspended in the frame 38. Thereby, the locking slot 48a operates as a tool suspension connector 80 for suspending the chainsaw 14. Similarly, the line key 33, which is attached to the chainsaw 14 by means of the tool connector 32, operates as a frame connector 82 mating with the tool suspension connector 80. When the lanyard line 36 has been fully retracted from e.g. the position illustrated in Fig. 4A such that the line key 33 has been received in the key passage aperture 40a, and the chainsaw 14 (Fig. 3) is lowered to a position below the retractable lanyard line 30, the frame connector 82 defined by the line key 33 automatically engages with the tool suspension connector 80 defined by the first locking slot 48a. During retraction of the lanyard line 36, the first key passage aperture 40a operates as a lanyard line guide 84 which guides the frame connector 82 I 33 to the tool suspension connector 80148a.

[0080] Fig. 9 illustrates the tool connector 32 in greater detail. The tool connector 32 comprises a first connector part 32a and a second connector part 32b shaped to fit together. The first connector part 32a is integrally formed with the line key 33. A screw 32c allows attaching the first and second connector parts 32a, 32b to each other. The first set of guide openings 42 are positioned at the interface between the first and second connector parts32a, 32b, and each of the guide openings 42 of the second set is connected to a respective arc-shaped suspension loop guide segment 43a, 43b which together form a curved suspension loop guide 43. Similarly, also the second set of guide openings 44 are positioned at the interface between the first andsecond connector parts 32a, 32b, and each of the guide openings 44 of the second set is connected to a respective line guide segment 45a, 45b which together form a lanyard line guide 45 of the tool connector 32.

[0081] Referring back to Fig. 8, the illustrated section also follows the lanyard line guide 45. The lanyard line 36 first passes through the line key 33, follows the first line guide segment 45a (Fig. 9), passes a gap between the first and second line guide segments 45a, 45b (Fig. 9), and is anchored in an enlarged space 45c in the second line guide segment by a knot 36a on the lanyard line 36. The knot 36a interlocks with the tool connector 32 and thereby also with the line key 33, which is integrally formed with the first connector part 32a (Fig. 9).

[0082] Fig. 8 also illustrates the guide lock 56 in the locked state, i.e. with the guide lock element 56c blocking the radially extending lock tabs 54c such that the guide drum 54 cannot be rotated anticlockwise, in the view of Fig. 8, to a position where the line guide aperture 54a and the line key 33 line up with the key passage aperture 40a.

[0083] The section of Fig. 10 is taken along the suspension loop guide 43, and illustrates the position of the suspension loop 34 within the suspension loop guide 43. The suspension loop guide 43 follows the shape of a circle-arc, and mates with the suspension loop 34, which also follows the shape of a circle-arc. The screw 32c of the tool connector 32 penetrates the suspension loop 34, and thereby ascertains that no gap can appear between the tool connector parts 32a, 32b (Fig. 9) that could otherwise enable the suspension loop 34 to slip out of the tool connector 32.

[0084] Not all tools have a circular suspension loop. The tool connector 32 however enables simple connection to any other kind of loop or similar carrying structure. As illustrated in the section of Fig. 11 , the knot 36a at the distal end of the lanyard line 36 interlocks with the second guide segment 45b, while a proximal segment 36b of the lanyard line 36 is able to slide along the first guide segment 45a, such that a portion 36c of the lanyard line passing the gap between the first and second line guide segments 45a, 45b defines a noose 36d. The lanyard line 36 can be threaded through any suitable tool suspension loop of any size or shape (not illustrated) prior to connecting the tool connector parts 32a, 32b, or the noose may simply be laid to enclose any other kind of tool structure 86, and thereafter, the noose may be tightened to form a steady attachment between the tool (not illustrated) and the tool connector 32 / frame connector 82.Figs 12A and 12B illustrate, from two different perspectives, a retractable tool lanyard 130 according to a second embodiment. The retractable tool lanyard 130 comprises a frame 138 integrally formed with a belt clip 146, a spool 152 rotatably arranged in the frame 138 to rotate about a spool axis A, and a flexible lanyard line 36 carried by the spool 152 and having a tool attachment end 37 extending from the spool 152. The frame 138 differs from the frame 38 according to the first embodiment in that it does not form a housing which fully encloses the spool. A toothed wheel 190 is joined with the spool 152 to rotate with the spool 152, and a lock arm 192 is mounted at the frame 138 to pivot about a lock arm axis P. The lock arm 192 is mounted to pivot into and out of engagement with the toothed wheel 190, and thereby define a pay-out lock 149 having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, i.e. when the lock arm 192 engages with the toothed wheel 190, line pay-out from the spool 152 is prevented, and in the released state, i.e. when the lock arm 192 does not engage with the toothed wheel 190, line pay-out from the spool is allowed. The spool 152 and the frame 138 are interconnected by a non-illustrated spiral spring which generates a line retraction bias to roll back the lanyard line 36 onto the spool 152.

[0085] The lock arm 192 extends downwards to a position next to the lanyard line 36. When the lanyard line 36 is pulled in the downwards direction N (Fig. 12A), the payout lock 149 remains in the locked state. Pulling the lanyard line in a release direction R, which happens to be left in Fig. 12A, pivots the lock arm 192 about the lock arm axis P to assume the released state illustrated in Fig. 12C.

[0086] A tool suspension connector 180 configured as a forked hook is fixed to the frame 138, and enables the waist 33a of the frame connector 82 defined by the line key 33 (Fig. 10) to be connected to the tool suspension connector 180.

[0087] The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

Claims1. A retractable tool lanyard comprisinga frame (38; 138);a spool (52; 152) rotatably arranged in the frame (38; 138) to rotate about a spool axis (A);a flexible lanyard line (36) carried by the spool (52; 152), the lanyard line (36) having a tool attachment end (37) extending from the spool (52; 152); and a pay-out lock (49; 149) having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, line pay-out from the spool (52; 152) is prevented, and in the released state, line pay-out from the spool (52; 152) against a line retraction bias is allowed, whereinthe pay-out lock (49; 149), when in the locked state, is configured to enter the released state based on a condition that the lanyard line (36) is pulled in a release direction (R; R1, R2) relative to the frame (38; 138), and to remain in the locked state if the lanyard line (36) is pulled in another direction (N) than a release direction (R; R1, R2) in relation to the frame (38; 138).

2. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 1, wherein in the locked state, the tool attachment end (37) of the lanyard line (36) is attached to a first locking slot (48a) of said frame (38), and the lanyard line (36) is configured to be pulled out of said locking slot (48a) by pulling in said release direction.

3. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 2, whereinthe pay-out lock further comprises a line key (33) fixed to the lanyard line (36),wherein said first locking slot (48a) communicates with a first key passage aperture (40a) configured to receive the line key (33), andsaid first locking slot (40a) is configured to interlock with the line key (33).

4. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 3, wherein said first locking slot (48a) communicates with a second key passage aperture (40b) configured to receive the line key (33).

5. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 4, wherein the line key (33) comprises a line key waist (33a) configured to be received in and interlock with any of the first and second locking slots (48a, 48b), wherein the first lockingslot (48a) communicates with the second locking slot (48b) and the second key passage aperture (40b) via a line passage slot (50) having a width (W2) which is smaller than the line key waist (33a).

6. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 3-5, further comprising a line guide (55) between the frame (38) and the spool (52), wherein the line guide (55) is movable relative to the frame (38) and the spool (52) in a circumferential direction about the spool axis (A).

7. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 6, comprising a line key blocker (57) configured to move relative to the frame (38) and the spool (52) in a circumferential direction about the spool axis (A) together with the line guide (55), wherein the line key blocker (57) is configured to restrict circumferential movement of the line key (33) in relation to the line guide (55).

8. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 6-7, further comprising a guide lock (56) having a locked state and a released state, wherein in the locked state, the guide lock (56) restricts movement of the line guide (55) in the circumferential direction.

9. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 8, wherein the guide lock (56) comprises an operation interface for moving the guide lock (56) between the locked state and the released state, wherein the operation interface comprises a seesaw button (56) having a lock lever (56b) and a release lever (56a) on opposite sides of a pivot axis (L), wherein the lock lever (56b) comprises a guide lock element (56c) configured to be pressed into interference with the line guide (55) when the lock lever (56b) is pressed towards the spool axis (A), and the release lever (56a) is configured to draw the guide lock element (56c) out of interference with the line guide (55) when the release lever (56a) is pressed towards the spool axis (A).

10. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 3-9, wherein a proximal portion of the line key comprises a passage aperture guide segment (33c) which tapers towards the spool (52; 152).

11. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 3-10, wherein the frame (38) has a proximal side (38a) configured to face a body of a user (10)of the retractable tool lanyard (30), when the retractable tool lanyard (30) is in use, and a distal side (38b) configured to face away from the body of the user (10) when the retractable tool lanyard (30) is in use, wherein said first key passage aperture (40b) is axially offset from an axial midpoint (M) of the spool (52) towards the distal side (38b) of the frame (38), and / or said first key passage aperture (40b) faces in an aperture direction (D) away from the proximal side (38a) of the frame (38) which aperture direction (D) forms an angle (a) of less than 85° with the spool axis (A).

12. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 3-11, wherein the line key (33) is rigidly connected to a tool connector (32).

13. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a tool belt connection arrangement (46; 146) configured to non- rotatably attach the frame (38; 138) to a tool belt or harness (16).

14. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 13, wherein the tool belt connection arrangement (46) comprises a belt clip (62) comprising a frame connector (70), and a clip connector (72) attached to the frame (38), wherein the clip connector (72) is connectable to the frame connector (70) via a quickrelease connection.

15. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spool (52) has a proximal side (52a) configured to face the body of the user, when the retractable tool lanyard (30) is in use, and a distal side (52b) configured to face away from the body of the user when the retractable tool lanyard (30) is in use, wherein the retraction bias is generated by a spiral spring (60) positioned on the proximal side of the spool (52; 152).

16. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable tool lanyard (30) is configured to retract the lanyard line (36) by a retraction bias of less than 15 N.

17. A retractable tool lanyard comprisinga frame (38; 138);a spool (52; 152) rotatably arranged in the frame (38; 138);a flexible lanyard line (36) carried by the spool (52; 152), the lanyard line (36)having a tool attachment end (37) extending from the spool (52; 152), wherein the tool attachment end (37) of the lanyard line (36) is provided with a frame connector (82), and the frame (38; 138) comprises a tool suspension connector (80; 180) configured to attach to the frame connector (82).

18. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 17, wherein the frame (38) comprises a lanyard line guide (40a, 40b) configured to, when retracting the lanyard line (36) onto the spool (52), guide the frame connector (82) to the tool suspension connector (80).

19. The retractable tool lanyard according to any of the claims 17-18, wherein the frame connector (82) is configured as a line key (33) fixed to the lanyard line (36), and the tool suspension connector (80) is configured as a locking slot (48a, 48b) of the frame (38), wherein the locking slot (48a, 48b) is configured to receive and interlock with the line key (33).

20. A retractable tool lanyard comprisinga frame (38);a spool (52) rotatably arranged in the frame; anda flexible lanyard line (36) carried by the spool (52), the lanyard line (36) having a tool attachment end (37) extending from the spool (52), wherein the tool attachment end (37) is provided with a tool connector (32) comprising a curved suspension loop guide (43) configured to mate with a curved suspension loop (34) of a power tool (14).

21. The retractable tool lanyard according to claim 20, wherein the tool connector (32) further comprises a lanyard line guide (45) comprising a first guide (45a) segment and a second guide segment (45b) separated from each other by a gap, wherein a distal end (36a) of the lanyard line (36) is configured to interlock with the second guide segment (45b) and a proximal segment (36b) of the lanyard line (36) is configured to slide along the first guide segment (45a), such that a portion (36c) of the lanyard line (36) passing the gap defines a noose (36d).

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