Resilient Tool Collar for Safe Hand Tool Tethering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retrofit systems for hand tools interfere with their functionality, particularly when securing tools with tethers, as they often obstruct the working end or result in abrupt release due to suction forces, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit system comprising a tool collar and tethering tab, where the collar is made of a resilient material and the tab is rigid or semi-rigid, allowing for secure attachment without obstructing the tool's use, with features such as a flange and bore liner for improved fit and resistance to tearing, enabling manual installation and preventing accidental detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an eyelet is attached to the end of the tool for tethering, then the tool can be secured to a lanyard, but the eyelet interferes with the full usefulness of the tool by obstructing the working end
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into functional segments: the working end remains clear for its intended purpose, while a separate collar component is added to the shaft portion to provide tethering attachment points. This segmentation allows the tethering function to be added without compromising the working end's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the eyelet at the end of the tool (one-dimensional extension), the collar is positioned around the shaft (radial dimension), and the tethering tab extends laterally from the collar. This dimensional change allows tethering attachment without obstructing the working end of the tool.
2Ease of manufacture
If a suction-based tubular device is used to secure the tool, then the tool can be attached to the tethering device, but the suction force may be abruptly relieved causing the tool to quickly release with accelerating force
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the tool shaft and the tethering tab. It provides a structured interface with a bore that receives the shaft and external attachment points for the tether, replacing the direct suction-based connection with a more reliable mechanical interface that distributes forces evenly.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is made of resilient material that combines flexibility for easy installation with sufficient structural integrity to maintain secure attachment. This composite approach allows the collar to deform during installation for ease of manufacture while maintaining attachment security during use.
3Ease of operation
If a rubber stopper is used to attach the tethering device to the screwdriver, then the device can be manually applied, but the rubber stopper can be pulled off either intentionally or inadvertently causing the screwdriver to become separated from the tethering device
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to deform elastically during manual installation for ease of operation, then maintain a secure, stable attachment during use. The resilient material properties enable the collar to transition from a compliant installation state to a rigid retention state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for secure tethering of hand tools without interfering with their intended use, minimizing entanglement and ensuring safe attachment, even with tools having sharp ends, by providing a snug fit and sufficient resistance to prevent accidental removal.
Implementation Method 1
The collar is made of a resilient material... providing a snug fit and sufficient resistance to prevent accidental removal
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A retrofit system for tethering a hand tool includes a tool collar having a collar body, a first body end, a second body end, a skirt at the second body end having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the collar body, and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tethering tab having a first tab opening and a second tab opening transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab. The tool collar is made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50. The second tab opening of the tethering tab being spaced from the first tab opening and the first tab opening having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion providing for free rotation of the tethering tab around the first tool portion.