Tool Lanyard Coupling Assembly With Two-Step Lock Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Construction workers face hazards from falling objects, and existing tethering systems, such as straps and carabiners, may not provide a secure and easy-to-use means of connecting tools to anchor points.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly comprising a male and female connector, where the male connector has a shaft and the female connector has a connector body with a longitudinal passage, an engaging member, and a blocking member. The engaging member is movable between engaged and disengaged states, and the blocking member is biased to prevent accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a carabiner is used to connect a tool to a strap or lanyard, then the connection is secure, but the disconnection process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the engaging member can transition between locked and unlocked states. The shaft of the male connector can be inserted into and removed from the longitudinal passage of the female connector by actuating the engaging member, providing both secure connection during use and easy disconnection when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the engaging member is always accessible, then disconnection is easy, but accidental disconnection may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is positioned to cover the engaging member in the locked state, preventing accidental actuation before intentional disconnection is desired. The user must first move the blocking member to uncover the engaging member, ensuring that disconnection is a deliberate two-step action rather than a single accidental movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple male connectors are needed for multiple tools, then each tool can be tethered separately, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into separate male and female connector components. Multiple simple male connectors can be attached to different tools, while a single female connector on the strap or lanyard can sequentially engage with different male connectors. This segmentation allows versatility across multiple tools without requiring complex integrated systems.
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 coupling assembly provides a secure and easy-to-use method for connecting tools to straps or lanyards, reducing the risk of accidental disconnection and facilitating one-handed operation for safe tool handling and storage.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling assembly comprises a torsion spring or a compression spring configured to bias the blocking member towards the first position
Implementation Method 2
The engaging member is biased towards the engaged state. Optionally, the coupling assembly comprises a compression spring or a torsion spring configured to bias the engaging member towards the engaged state
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a coupling assembly 1000 for connecting a tool to a strap/lanyard. The coupling assembly comprises: a male connector 100 comprising a shaft 102 which extends longitudinally from a first end 104 to a second end 106; a female connector 10 comprising a connector body 12 which defines a longitudinal passage for receiving the shaft of the male connector; an engaging member 40 which is movable between an engaged state in which the engaging member is configured to inhibit disconnection of the male and female connectors, and a disengaged state in which disconnection of the male and female connectors is permitted; and a blocking member 60 which is movable between a first position in which the blocking member is configured to inhibit actuation of the engaging member, and a second position in which actuation of the engaging member is permitted.